LIBRARY 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

SANTA  BARBARA 


PRESENTED  BY 

Miss  Rosario  Curletti 


THE  TRAGEDIES  OF  -dESCHYLOS 


THE  TRAGEDIES  OF 


/ESCHYLOS 


^Translation, 

WITH  A  BIOGRAPHICAL  ESSAY,  AND  AN   APPENDIX  OP 
RHYMED   CHORAL  ODES 


BY    E.    H.    PLUMPTRE,   D.B. 

PROFESSOR  OK  DIVINITY,    KING'S  COLLEGE,    LONDON  ;  VICAR   OF   BICKLEY  ; 
PREBENDARY   OF  ST.   PAUL'S 


PHILADELPHIA  : 
DAVID  McKAY,    PUBLISHER, 

1022    MARKET    STREET. 


THB   MOST  RKVXRKKD 

RICHARD  CHENEYIX  TRENCH,  D.D., 


ABCHBISHOP   OF   DUBLIN. 


DEAB  friend,  of  old  true  guide  of  pilgrims  known, 

Leading  their  steps  where  Wisdom's  fair  pearla  li« 
With  orient  gems,  in  Truth's  rich  treasury, 
On  to  the  altar-stairs  and  sapphire  Throne, 
Now  reaping  harvest  which  thou  hadst  not  sown, 
The  heaped-up  debt  of  far  ancestral  crimes, 
Bearing  the  brunt  of  these  our  troublous  times, 
While  mists  are  thick,  and  loud  the  night-winds  moan ' 
Scant  leisure  thine  to  look  with  studious  eyes 

On  these  poor  transcripts  of  a  glorious  page, 
The  heathen's  dim,  '  unconscious  prophecies,' 
The  dreams  of  Hellas  in  her  golden  age : 
Nay,  gird  thee  to  thy  task,  come  good,  come  ill, 
And  eo  'mid  storms  and  fears  thy  Master's  heat  fulfil. 


PREFACE. 


I  HAVE  been  led  by  the  interest  which  I  found  in  the 
work  of  translating  Sophocles,  and  in  part  also  by  the 
reception  which  my  translation  met  with,  to  enter  on 
another,  and,  in  some  respects,  more  difficult  task,  in 
which  I  have  had  predecessors  at  once  more  numerous 
and  of  higher  mark.  I  leave  it  to  others  to  compare 
the  merits  and  defects  of  my  work  with  theirs. 

I  have  adhered  in  it  to  the  plan  of  using  for 
the  Choral  Odes  such  unrhymed  metres,  observing  the 
strophic  and  antistrophic  arrangement,  as  seemed  to 
me  most  analogous  in  their  general  rhythmical  effect 
to  those  of  the  original ;  while,  for  the  sake  of  those 
who  cannot  abandon  their  preference  for  the  form  with 
which  they  are  more  familiar,  I  have  added,  in  an 
Appendix,  a  rhymed  version  of  the  chief  Odes  of  the 
Oresteian  trilogy.  Those  in  the  other  dramas  did  not 
seem  to  me  of  equal  interest,  or  to  lend  themselves 
with  equal  facility  to  a  like  attempt. 

I  have  for  the  most  part  followed  the  text  of  Mr. 
Paley's  edition  of  1861,  and,  in  common  with  all 


Viii  PREFACE. 

students  of  2Eschylos,  I  have  to  acknowledge  a  large 
debt  of  gratitude  to  him  both  for  his  textual  criticism 
and  for  the  varied  amount  of  illustrative  material  which 
he  has  brought  together  in  his  notes.  It  is  right  to 
name  Professor  Conington  also  as  at  once  among  the 
most  distinguished  of  those  with  whose  labours  my 
own  will  have  to  be  compared,  and  as  one  who  has 
done  for  JEschylos  at  Oxford  what  Mr.  Paley  has  done 
at  Cambridge,  bringing  to  bear  on  the  study  of  his 
dramas  at  once  the  accuracy  of  a  critic  and  the  insight 
of  a  poet.  Had  his  work  as  a  translator  been  carried 
further,  had  the  late  Dean  of  St.  Paul's  left  us  more 
than  the  single  tragedy  of  the  Agamemnon,  or  my 
friend,  Miss  Swanwick,  been  able  to  complete  what 
she  began  so  well  in  her  version  of  the  Oresteian 
trilogy,  I  should  probably  not  have  undertaken  the 
work  which  I  have  now  brought  to  a  conclusion.  I 
have  felt,  however,  that  it  was  desirable  for  the  large 
mass  of  readers  to  whom  the  culture  which  comes 
through  the  study  of  Greek  literature  in  the  inimitable 
completeness  of  the  originals  is  more  or  less  inacces- 
sible, that  there  should  be  a  translation  within  thei* 
reach,  embracing  all  that  has  been  left  to  us  by  one 
who  takes  all  but  the  highest  place  among  the  tragic 
poets  of  Athens,  and  making  it,  as  far  as  was  possible, 
intelligible  and  interesting  in  its  connexion  with  the 
history  of  Greek  thought,  political  and  theological. 
I  have  indicated  by  an  asterisk  (*)  passages  where 


PREFACE.  a, 

the  reading  or  the  rendering  is  mere  or  less  con- 
jectural, and  in  which  therefore  the  student  would  do 
well  to  consult  the  notes  of  commentators.  Passages 
which  are  regarded  as  spurious  by  editors  of  authority 
are  placed  between  brackets  [  ]. 

It  only  remains  that  I  should  once  again  acknow- 
ledge my  obligations  to  my  friend  the  Rev.  Charles 
Hole,  for  much  help  kindly  given  in  the  progress  of 
my  work  through  the  press. 


NOTE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. — The  whole  work 
has  been  subjected  to  revision.  Additional  notes  have 
been  added  where  they  seemed  necessary.  I  have 
thought  it  best  to  arrange  the  plays  in  their  chrono- 
logical order. 


CONTENTS. 


M*l 

07  JB3CHTLO*     ••••••••      xiii 

THE   PERSIANS      ........•! 

THE   SEVEN   \VHO  POT7GHT  AGAINST  THEBES  •  •  .         45 

PROMETHEUS   BOUND  ......  .89 

THE   SUPPLIANTS  ••••••••      133 

AGAMEMNON          ...*..•;.       177 
OHOEPHORI,    OB   THE   LIBATION-POUKERS      .  •  •  .      247 

EUMENIDES  ......•••      203 

FBAQMENTS  ....•••••      337 

Or  SHYMKD   OXOKUK28        .  •          •          •  •      ti6 


LIFE  OF  ^ESCHYLOS. 


THE  materials  for  a  life  of  2Eschylos  are  like  in  kind 
and  quantity  to  those  which  we  possess  for  a  life  of 
Sophocles.  A  brief  anonymous  memoir,  written  pro- 
bably some  four  or  five  hundred  years  after  his  death,1 
ft  few  scattered  facts  in  scholia  and  lexicons,  a  few 
anecdotes  or  allusions  in  contemporary,  or  all  but  con- 
temporary, authors ;  this  is  all  we  have  to  deal  with.3 
My  purpose  in  this  essay  is  to  do  for  the  older  as  I 
have  done  for  the  younger  dramatist,  to  put  these  dis- 
jecta membra  together  in  such  an  order  as  may  best 
Bhow  what  the  man  himself  was,  to  illustrate  them 
from  the  poet's  own  works,  to  throw  light  on  the<n 
from  the  history  of  the  period  in  which  he  lived. 

The  birth  of  2Eschylos3  is  fixed  partly  by  dates 
given  by  Suidas  and  in  the  Arundel  Inscriptions,  partly 
by  a  conjectural  emendation  of  the  text  of  the  anony- 

(1)  The  memoir  in  question  Is  prefixed  to  the  Medicean  MS.  of  the 
plays,  and  is  to  be  found  in  most  editions.    It  is  the  authority  for  all 
statements  in  the  text  for  which  no  special  reference  is  given. 

(2)  In  some  respects,  indeed,  the  earlier  dramatist  has  fared  worse  than 
the  later.    Even  Germany  supplies  but  two  monographs,  De  Vita  Jtsthyli, 
one  by  Dahm,  the  other  by  Peterson,  and  these  are  meagre  and  unin- 
teresting aa  compared  with  those  by  Leasing  and  Schdll  on  the  life  of 
Bophocles. 

(3)  The  name,  a  diminutive  of  atcr\nbc,  and  so  meaning  "little  and  ( 
Ugly,"  is  of  an  unusual  type,  and  might  almost  seem  to  imply  some  per-  ' 
•onal  deformity  in  the  child  to  whom  it  was  given.     May  we  connect 
this  with  the  passionate,  irascible  temper  by  which  the  poet  was  charac- 
terised I 


LIFE    OF  JBSCHYLOS. 


mous  biographer,  at  B.C.  525.  Both  his  parentage  and 
his  place  of  birth  maybe  thought  of  as  having  influenced 
I  his  poetry.  He  was  an  Eupatrid,  one  of  the  old  noble 
*  families  of  Attica,  born  at  a  time  when  the  separation 
between  them  and  the  other  citizens  was  far  more 
strongly  marked  than  at  a  later  period,  and  we  find 
the  feelings  of  his  class  clinging  to  him  through  life. 
He  delights  to  dwell  on  the  nobler  character,  the  more 
generous  treatment  even  of  slaves,  to  be  found  in  the 
"  heirs  of  ancient  wealth"  than  in  the  nouveaux  riches, 
who  rose  into  prominence  and  power  under  Pericles, 
(Agam.  ver.  1010-12.)  He  utters  his  protest  through 
the  lips  of  Athena  against  defiling  the  "  clear  stream  " 
of  the  old  nobility  with  the  "  foul  mire  "  of  aliens  and 
traders,1  (Eumen.  v.  665.)  With  this  as  the  dominant 
feeling  in  his  mind,  he  attached  himself  to  the  cause 
of  Kimon  as  against  Pericles,  and,  as  we  shall  see 
hereafter,  defended  the  Areiopagos  against  the  attacks 
that  threatened  its  authority.  Something  of  the  san>e 
temper  —  as  of  one  who  places  noble  blood  above 
wealth,  because  it  more  often  goes  together  with 
nobleness  of  nature  —  is  seen  in  his  scorn  for  "  gold- 
decked  "  houses  where  the  hands  of  those  who  dwell 
in  them  are  soiled,  (Agam.  v.  748,)  while  he  maintains 
that  there  is  no  inevitable  connexion  between  greatness 
and  the  fall  that  so  often  follows  on  it,  that  there  are 
families  in  which  prosperity  and  honour  pass  on  from 
generation  to  generation,  (Agam.  v.  736.) 

Nor  can  the  fact  that  he  was  born  at  Eleusis  be 


(1)  One  may  note  the  parallelism  of  Dante's  vehement  protest  against 
**Ja  yente  nunva,"  "le  bfstie  Fitxolam,"  that  had  been  received  into  Flo- 
rence from  neighbouring  cities,  or  made  their  way  to  power  by 
f**iafni."—J"/crn.  xv.  62,  xvi.  73. 


LIFE    OF   JESCHYLOS. 


considered  as  of  less  importance.  Initiation  into  the 
Mysteries  that  were  connected  with  that  spot,  may 
have  been  postponed,  indeed,  (if  he  was  ever  actually 
initiated,)1  to  mature  age.  But  the  local  influence 
must  have  been  round  him  from  the  first.  Men  came 
there  to  pass  through  the  rites  of  probation,  counted 
it  the  blessedness  of  their  life  to  be  admitted  by  the 
hierophant,  spoke  of  it  as  unfolding  the  secrets  of 
immortality.  Theories  as  to  the  nature  and  teacher 
of  these  and  other  mysteries,  have  indeed  varied 
very  widely.*  Some  have  seen  in  them  the  channels 
by  which  a  primitive  religion  was  kept  from  perishing 
utterly,  and  faith  in  the  providence,  perhaps  in  the 
unity,  of  God,  and  in  a  future  retribution,  transmitted 
to  fit  recipients.  Others  have  discerned  nothing  more 
than  a  Phallic  symbolism  of  the  reproductive  powers  of 
nature,  the  attractions  of  which  lay  in  the  debasing 
character  of  the  symbols  and  the  stimulus  they  sup- 
plied to  a  prurient  imagination.  Others  have  found 
in  them  symbols,  indeed,  but  symbols  no  longer  under- 
stood, the  story  which  had  once  clothed  a  thought 
being  dramatised  for  its  own  sake,  till  the  thought 

(1)  The  question  remains  nib  fudiee.    On  the  one  side  there  is  the  state- 
ment preserved  by  Clement  of  Alexandria  in  his  Stromata,  (ii.  166,)  that 
when  accused  before  the  Areiopagos  of  having  brought  the  mysteries  on 
the  stage.,  he  defended  himself  by  pleading  that  he  had  never  been  ini- 
tiated.   On  the  other,  we  have  the  fact  that  Aristophanes,  in  the  Frog*, 
(v.  886,)  represents  him  as  invoking  Demeter, 

"  Who  hast  trained  my  soul 
To  meetness  for  thy  holy  mysteries." 

The  latter  testimony,  as  being  nearly  contemporary,  seems  to  have  greatest 
weight.  Aristotle,  however,  in  referring  to  the  case  as  illustrating  his 
doctrine  of  sins  of  ignorance,  (Eth.  JV'teom.  iii.  2,)  may  be  thrown  into  the 
other  scale,  as  corroborating  the  tradition  given  by  Clement. 

(2)  WUrburton,  in  his  Divine  Legation  of  Muses,  has  brought  together 
most  of  the  ancient  authorities  on  the  subject.    Lobeck,  in  a  treatisa 
bearing  the  title  of  Aglaophaitus,  has  treated  the  question  with  a  more 
exhaustive  scholarship.  St.  Croix'B  JtccAt  rales  tur  let  JJyitiret 

may  also  be  consulted. 


LIFE   OF   .ffiSCHYLOS. 


itself  was  forgotten  in  the  interest  of  the  fantastic 
mythos  that  embodied  it.  With  views  so  divergent 
before  us,  we  cannot  safely  build  much  on  any  esti- 
mate of  the  influence  which  the  mysteries  of  Eleusis 
may  have  exercised  upon  the  mind  of  ^Eschylos.  It 
may  be  suggested,  perhaps,  that  they,  like  all  other 
symbolic  rites,  degenerated  as  they  grew  older ;  that 
whatever  of  obscenity  or  triviality  was  in  them,  was 
of  later  growth  ;  that  if  they  were  parables  of  Nature 
and  her  life-giving  power,  they  also  helped  men  to 
think  of  that  life  as  extending  into  a  more  distant 
future.  Like  the  secrets  of  Freemasonry,  they  may 
have  had  a  religious  meaning  at  first,  which  afterwards 
degenerated  into  a  mere  conventional  mystery,  and  a 
fantastic  triviality  which  a  later  age  strove  in  vain  to 
re-clothe  with  a  religious  significance.  The  language 
in  which  Sophocles  and  Pindar  speak  of  them1  forbids 
us  to  think  of  them  as  in  his  time  other  than  witnesses 
to  a  loftier  truth  than  that  held  by  the  uninitiated 
many.  The  stress  laid  by  ^Eschylos  on  the  righteous 
government  of  God,  on  the  immortality  of  the  spirits 
of  the  dead,  may  possibly  be  traceable  to  that  witness. 
His  reverence  for  the  Goddess  of  Eleusis  was  at  all 
events  thought  of  as  so  characteristic,  that  he  is  repre- 
sented, in  the  Aristophanic  caricature  already  quoted, 
as  swearing  by  her  name  and  no  other. 

(1)  Sophocles,  Fragm.  719 — 

"  Thrice  happy  they  who  having  seen  these  rite* 
Then  pass  to  Hades  :  there  to  these  alone 
Is  granted  life ;  all  others  evil  find." 

Pindar,  Thren.  J-'ragm.  8 — 

"  Blessed  is  he  who  having  looked  on  them, 
Passes  below  the  hollow  earth,  for  he 
Knows  life's  true  end,  and  Zeus-given  sov'  reign ty." 


LIFE    OF    .lESCHYLOS. 


The  education  of  Jllschylos  would,  in  its  main  out- 
lines, be  such  as  has  been  described  in  my  life  of 
Sophocles.  It  would  want,  indeed,  that  which  the 
latter  found  as  he  grew  to  manhood  in  the  dramas  of 
JEscbylos  himself.  It  would  want  also  the  poetry  of 
Pindar,1  But  the  music,  and  the  athletic  training,  and 
the  poetry  of  Homer,  were  already  there  to  form  the 
character  and  develop  its  nascent  powers.  The  care 
taken  by  Peisistratos  to  collect  and  arrange  the  so- 
called  Homeric  poems,  and  the  formation  of  a  library 
at  Athens  by  his  sons  Hippias  and  Hipparchos,  were 
at  once  symptoms  and  causes  of  the  intellectual  life 
which  was  about  to  bud  and  blossom  and  bear  fruit 
with  such  unexampled  rapidity.  The  education  of  the  \ 
young  men  of  Athens  was  based  thenceforward  upon 
Homer.  The  cycle  of  the  Iliad  supplied  nearly  the 
whole  material  which  was  to  be  worked  up  by  the 
coming  dramatists.  jEschylos  himseff  spoke  of  his'; 
tragedies  as  being  but  "  made-up  dishes "  (T€/u.a^) 
from  the  great  Homeric  banquet,  (Athcn.  viii.  p.  347.) 
Nor  can  we  forget  that  the  name  which  has  stamped 
itself  upon  dramatic  art  was  then  beginning  to  be 
known,  and  that  the  works  of  Thespis  began,  teul 
years  before  the  birth  of  2Eschylos,  to  give  a  ne\ri 
character  to  the  festival  of  the  Dionysia.  Concurrently 
with  the  influence  of  the  heroic,  there  must  also  have 
taen  that  of  the  early  gnomic  poetry  of  Greece.  The 
sententious  morality  of  Theognis  appears  to  have  im- 
pressed itself  on  a  mind  which  loved  to  reproduce 
even  the  earlier,  simpler  proverbs  that  entered  into 

(1)  Pindar  and  Simonides  vve,  however,  contemporaries  of  the  grent 
dramatist,  and  might  easil"  .^ercisc  some  influence  on  the  growth  oi  lua 


Jtviil  LIFE    OF    JESCHYLOS. 


the  common  speech  of  men,  those  which  bade  them 
not  to  "  kick  against  the  pricks,"  or  taught  them  that 
'  out  of  a  little  seed  may  spring  a  mighty  tree,"  that 
*'pain  is  gain,"  that  "wisdom  comes  by  sorrow,"  that 
"  the  highest  wisdom  is  self-knowledge,"  and  the  like. 
And,  accord  ngly,  the  parallelisms  between  the  two 
writers  are  striking  enough  to  exclude  the  notion  of 
mere  coincidence.1 

The  resemblance  is,  however,  in  mind  and  teaching 
much  more  than  in  words  and  images.  There  is  the 
same  dread  of  the  evils  of  over-prosperous  fortune, 
the  same  reverence  for  the  rights  of  the  suppliant  and 

(1)  I  owe  the  references  to  these  passages  to  a  note  of  Mr. 
Comp.  (1)  Theognis.  w.  44-9— 

"  In  all  my  deeds  thou'lt  find  me  like  pure  gold, 
Still  glowing  red,  though  tried  by  touchstone's  tei 
And  the  black  stain  not  e'en  the  surface  mars." 
Again,  v.  381— 

"  And  like  to  worthless  bronze, 

By  friction  tried  and  tests, 
It  turns  to  tarnished  blackness  in  its  hue.* 

(1)  Theogn.  v.  151— 

"  But  full-flushed  Lust  hegetteth  Recklessness, 
When  prosperous  fortune  comes  U>  villain  aouL 

Atom.  v.  738— 

"  But  Recklessness  of  old 
Is  wont  to  breed  another  Recklessness  ; 

That  in  its  youth,  in  turn 
Doth  full-flushed  Lust  beget, 
Begets  Satiety." 

(»)  Theogn.  T.  961— 

"  Many  there  are  with  false  mood  counterfeit, 
Who  hide  their  lies  with  show  of  short-lived  z«2. 

T.  76O- 

"  Men  there  are  who  right  transgressing, 
Honour  semblance  more  than  being : 
O'er  the  sufferer  all  are  ready 
Wail  of  bitter  grief  to  utter, 
Though  the  biting  pang  of  sorrow 
Never  to  their  heart  appipaches; 
So  with  counterfeit  rejoicing 
Men  strain  laces  Uiat  lire  suuleleao." 


LIFE    OF    JS.SCHYLOS. 


the  guest,  the  same  belief  in  a  Nemesis  working  at 
times  slowly  and  secretly,  but  sure  to  manifest  itself  at 
last  as  the  avenger  of  outrage,  and  turbulence,  and 
wrong.  Even  the  tone  in  which  the  ethical  poet 
speaks  of  the  chastisement  which  the  Gods  had  sent 
upon  the  haughty  Medes  is  in  the  same  key  as  that 
which  pervades  the  Persians  (vv.  744  and  775)  of  the 
dramatist.  Both  are  intensely  national ;  both  are  also 
intensely  the  poets  of  an  aristocracy.  Theognis  com- 
plains (vv.  53-58)— 

"  This  State  is  still  a  State,  but  men  are  changed  ; 
Those  who  ere  while  knew  nought  of  Right  and  Law, 
And  clad  in  goatskin  lived  outside  the  gates, 
These  are  now  known  as  nobles,  and  the  men. 
Who  once  were  noble,  now  as  cowards  L've. 
Men  honour  wealth,  and  wealth  corrupts  the  blood, 
Bad  marrying  good,  and  good  with  villains  wed." 

Just  as  .ZEschylos  makes  Athena  warn  her  people — 

"  But  if  with  streams  defiled  and  tainted  soil 
Clear  river  thou  pollute,  no  drink  thou'lt  find." 

— Eumen.  v.  664 
and  utters  his  complaint  that — 

"  Now  Success 
It  man's  sole  God  and  more." 

— Lib.  Pourert,  T.  50. 

The  chronological  relation  of  the  two  poets  to  each 
other  was  just  such  as  to  bring  the  younger  poet  under 
the  influence  of  the  older.  Theognis  lived  to  witness 
the  overthrow  of  the  Persians,  and  died  just  as  .ZEschy- 
los  was  rising  into  fame. 

The  reference  in  Fragm.  123  to  the  story  of  the 
eagle  shot  with  one  of  its  own  feathers,  as  taken  from 


LIFE    OF    jESCHYLOS. 


the  Libyan  Fables,  seems  to  indicate  an  acquaintance 
also  with  that  form  of  composition  which,  about  this 
time,  was  travelling  from  Asia  and  Africa  into  the 
literature  of  Greece. 

The  legend  which  has  come  down  to  us  through 
Pausanias,  (Alt.  i.  21,  §  3,)  though  too  remote  in  time 
to  claim  a  place  among  the  elements  of  a  biography, 
may  yet  be  received  as  the  expression  of  the  influence 
exercised  on  .ZEschylos  by  the  new  art  which  Thespis 
had  introduced,  and  its  religious  associations.  "  Ho 
was  set,"  so  the  story  runs,  "  to  watch  grapes  as  they 
were  ripening  for  the  vintage,  and  fell  asleep  :  And  lo  ! 
as  he  slept,  Dionysos  appeared  to  him,  and  bade  him 
give  himself  to  write  tragedies  for  the  great  festival  of 
the  God.  And  when  he  awoke,  he  found  himself 
invested  with  new  powers  of  thought  and  utterance, 
and  the  work  was  as  easy  to  him  as  if  he  had  been 
trained  to  it  for  many  years."  The  parable  shadows 
forth,  as  I  have  said  elsewhere,  the  chief  characteris- 
tics both  of  the  excellence  and  the  faults  of  JEschylos, 
— the  presence  of  a  creative  power  flaming  as  with  a 
divine  light,  striking  out  lofty  thoughts,  and  clothing 
them  in  words  of  singular  felicity,  yet  wanting  in  the 
supreme  refinement  and  equilibrium  of  a  deliberate 
and  conscious  art. 

Of  the  dramatic  poets  who  preceded  him  we  know 
the  names,  and  little  more.  The  date  assigned  to  the 
first  exhibition  of  tragedies  at  Athens  by  Thespis  is 
B.C.  535.  So  far  as  we  can  judge  amid  conflicting 
statements  of  the  precise  nature  of  the  changes  intro- 
duced by  him,  they  consisted — (1.)  In  the  introduction 
of  now  subjects,  still,  however,  confined  to  the  Dio- 


LIFE    OF    ^JSCHYLOS. 


nysiac  cycle ;  (2.)  in  the  addition  of  dialogue  to  the 
choral  songs  which  had  previously  made  r.p,  as  it  were, 
the  libretto  of  the  Dionysian  opera;  and  (3.)  in  the 
use  of  masks,  or  pigments,  to  make  personation  oi 
characters  more  life-like.  Groups  of  satyrs,  following 
the  chariot  of  the  God,  singing  his  adventures,  and 
representing  some  of  these  adventures  in  rude  mimetic 
action,  seem  to  have  furnished  the  starting-point  oi 
Greek  drama.  Then  came,  at  Sikyon  or  elsewhere, 
(Herod,  v.  67,)  the  celebration  of  the  deeds  of  other 
gods,  or  of  the  heroes  of  the  Homeric  cycle,  but  still 
confined  to  odes,  and  with  a  satyr  chorus  as  the  chief 
or  only  actors.1  The  recitation  of  the  Homeric  poems 
by  the  travelling  minstrels  known  as  Rhapsodists, 
would  naturally  tend  to  enlarge  the  range  of  the  sub- 
jects in  which  spectators  were  interested.  Thespis 
had  the  credit  of  seizing  on  the  opening  thus  given, 
and  introducing  an  actor  on  the  stage  conversing  with 
the  chorus.  Possessed  of  the  versatile  mimetic  power 
which  has  in  our  own  times  led  men  like  Charles  Ma- 
thews  and  Albert  Smith  to  sustain  many  characters, 
and  so  to  be  the  one  actor  in  a  drama  which  yet  had 
something  of  a  plot,  he  appeared  now  in  one  dress, 
now  in  another ;  now,  e.g.,  as  Dionysos,  now  as  Pen- 
theus,  now  as  Agave  ;  and  so  on,  representing  the 
whole  story  which  we  find  in  the  Bacclue  of  Euripides. 
At  first,  apparently,  the  change  was  in  the  mode  rather 
than  in  the  subjects.  When  these,  too,  were  altered, 
and  when  the  people  came  to  the  vintage  festival,  and 
found,  as  in  the  plays  of  Phrynichos  and  ^schylos, 

(1)  The  people  of  Sikyon,  the  historian  tells  us,  honoured  the  hero 
Adrastos,  the  son  of  Tallies,  with  "tragic  choruses"  which  celebrated 
bus  ad  ventures,  and  which  were  transferred  by  Cleistlwnes  to  DionyKK. 


XXU  LIFE    OF    ^BSCHYLOS. 

notliing  that  reminded  them  of  the  vintage  God,  they 
missed  the  rough,  coarse  mirth  in  which  they  had 
revelled,  and  asked  in  words  which  passed  into  a  pro- 
verb, "  What  has  this  to  do  with  Dionysos  ?  M1  The 
change  from  one  cycle  of  subjects  to  the  whole  range 
of  the  legends  of  the  heroic  age  was  analogous  to  that 
which  passed  over  the  English  drama  when  Ferrex 
and  Porrex  and  Gorboduc  took  the  place  of  the  "  mys- 
teries" and  "  miracle  plays"  of  an  earlier  period. 
The  later  arrangement,  which  made  a  satyric  drama 
the  necessary  completion  of  a  tragic  trilogy,  (as  the 
Christmas  pantomime  comes,  in  the  modern  drama, 
after  the  five-act  tragedy,)  was  probably  of  the  nature 
of  a  compromise  between  the  tastes  of  the  men  of 
culture  and  those  of  the  people,  who  still  craved  for 
something  of  the  old  rough  sport,  and  frolicsome,  ram- 
pant humour. 

Phrynichos,  whose  name  thus  meets  us  in  conjunc- 
tion with  that  of  ^Eschylos,  (he  gained  his  first  prize 
B.C.  511,  and  his  last  B.C.  476,)  went  further  in  the 
development  of  the  new  art.  The  impulse  given  to 
the  study  of  Homer  by  the  influence  of  Peisistratos, 
supplied  him,  as  it  afterwards  supplied  his  successors, 
not  only,  as  has  been  said,  with  an  almost  inexhaust- 
ible material,  loftier  and  nobler  than  the  subjects  of 
the  old  Dionysian  mimes  or  the  earlier  dramas  of 
Thespis,  but  also  with  a  higher  culture  generally. 
The  choral  odes  of  his  dramas  were  long  remembered 
as  at  once  exquisitely  sweet,  and  pure  and  lofty  in 
their  tone.  With  Aristophanes,  he  is  the  type  of  the 
older  and  better  style  of  poetry  and  music,  as  com< 

(I)  Plutarch,  Syntpos.  ii.  p.  109£ 


LIFE    OF    ASCHYLOS. 


pared  v/ith  later  and  more  artificial  refinements.  His 
songs  are  "  sweet  as  the  honey  of  the  bee."  He  him- 
self is  the  "  master  of  all  singers."1  The  introduction 
of  masks  for  the  female  characters,  and  of  solemn 
measures  for  the  rhythmical  movements  of  the  chorus, 
was  also  ascribed  to  him.  Perhaps  the  most  striking 
fact  in  connexion  with  him  is, that  he  was  the  first  to 
seize  on  the  facts  of  contemporary  history  as  subjects? 
for  his  dramas,  and  in  B.C.  494,  brought  on  the  stage 
the  capture  of  Miletos,  which  had  just  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  Persians.  With  a  just  perception  of  the 
true  purpose  of  the  drama,  the  Athenians,  though 
moved  to  tears  by  the  sorrows  which  were  thus 
brought  before  them,  felt  that  the  sufferings  of  a  city 
so  nearly  related  to  them  should  not  be  displayed  for 
the  amusement  of  the  people.  They  fined  the  poet  a 
thousand  drachmae,  and  forbade  the  reproduction  of 
the  drama.  Taught  by  this  experience,  at  a  later 
period,  with  the  victorious  Themistocles  as  his  cho- 
rdgos,  he  dramatised,  not  the  disasters,  but  the  suc- 
cesses of  the  Athenians ;  and  in  a  drama  which  bore 
the  title  of  the  Phcenikians,  represented,  probably  in 
B.C.  476,  the  defeat  of  Xerxes,  and  so  set  the  example 
which  jiEschylos  followed  in  his  Persians.  Phryni- 
chos,  however,  did  not  stand  alone.  The  intellectual 
activity  of  the  time  threw  itself  at  Athens  into  this 
line  of  work,  and  little  as  we  know  of  Choarilos,  Pra- 
tinas,  and  other  contemporaries,  we  must  bear  in  mind 
that  they  were  there,  stimulating  the  mind  of  ^Eschy- 
los  to  emulation,  and  contributing,  each  of  them,  soma 
new  improvement  to  the  progress  of  the  art. 

(1)  Athen.  yiii.  p.  348;    Aristoph.,  Birds,  v.  748;    Waff*,  VT.  210-268 
Frofft,  w.  911-1294 ;  3'hetm.  v.  164. 


LIFE    OK    /ESCHYLOS. 


But  before  we  enter  on  the  dramatic  career  of  him 
•who  was  to  surpass  thorn  all,  it  will  be  well  to  note 
some  other  influences  to  which  he  must,  in  the  nature 
of  things,  have  been  exposed,  and  the  operation  of 
which  we  can  actually  trace  in  his  writings. 

(1.)  Foremost  among  these  must  be  noted  the  spirit 
of  enterprise  which  was  leading  the  Greeks  to  voyages 
of  discovery  and  to  settlements  in  remote  lands.  The 
temper,  of  which  the  Odyssey,  and  the  legend  of  the 
Argonauts,  were  the  first-fruits,  had  rapidly  developed 
itself  in  them.  They  had  begun  to  establish  them- 
selves in  Egypt  in  the  time  of  Psammitichos,  and  the 
wonders  which  the  land  of  the  Nile  presented  to  their 
view,  drew  travellers  who,  like  Herodotos  a  little  later, 
gazed  round  them  in  astonishment,  and  sought  to  dis- 
cover affinities  between  the  myths  of  Egypt  and  those 
of  Hellas.  Others  pressed  on,  as  Herodotos  also  did, 
to  the  land  of  the  two  great  rivers,  to  the  cities  on  the 
shores  of  the  Euphrates  and  the  Tigris,  to  those  of 
the  Medes  and  Persians.  The  invasion  of  Syria  and 
the  seaboard  of  the  Euxine  by  the  Skythians,  had 
brought  them  also  into  prominence,  increased,  of 
course,  by  the  stories  of  the  expedition  of  Dareios 
against  them.  In  the  West  also,  colonies  of  Greeks 
had  settled  in  the  south  of  Italy  and  Sicily.  The 
marvels  of  Skylla  and  Charybdis,  of  ^Etna  and  the 
Kyclops,  of  Atlas  and  the  pillars  of  Heracles,  and  the 
Islands  of  the  Blessed,  and  the  mysterious  Atlantis, 
had  impressed  themselves  on  their  imagination.  M&- 
chylos  himself,  there  is  some  reason  to  believe,  shared 
in  some  of  these  adventurous  voyages,  and  visited 
Sicily  before  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-six, 


LIFE    OF    AESCHYLUS. 


before  his  success  as  a  dramatist  began.1  Wben  he 
dwells  on  the  wonders  which  travellers  had  told,  he 
may  have  reproduced  what  he  had  thus  heard  hknself. 
"When  he  went  to  the  court  of  Hieron  after  his  defeat 
by  Sophocles,  it  was  not  as  a  stranger,  but  as  one  who 
had  already  made  friends  there,  and  was  sure  of 
patronage.  He  at  any  rate  shared  in  the  spirit  which 
delighted  in  these  reports  from  far-off  lands.  In  pro- 
portion to  the,  distance,  the  tales  of  travellers  were 
stranger  and  more  fantastic.  What  the  Spanish  Main 
and  El  Dorado,  and  the  "still  vexed  Bermoothes" 
and  Prester  John,  were  to  the  Elizabethan  dramatists, 
that  the  one-eyed  Arimaspi,  and  the  long-lived,  happy 
Hyperborei,  and  the  Gorgons,  and  the  Kyclops,  were 
to  the  dramatic  poets  of  Athens.  And  in  .ZEschylos 
the  position  which  they  occupy  is  obviously  a  pro- 
minent one.  In  the  Prometheus  the  wanderings  of  lo 
are  brought  in,  if  in  part  for  deeper  mythological 
reasons,  yet  in  part  also  to  enable  the  tale  of  these 
marvels  to  be  told  fully.  In  it  and  in  the  Suppliants 
he  yields  to  the  fascination  of  the  mysterious  legends 
of  lo  and  the  "  touch-born  "  Epaphos,  and  claims  a 
common  origin  for  the  Argives  and  the  Egyptians.  He 
revels,  and  his  hearers  must  have  revelled,  (some  of 
them  remembering  their  own  adventures,)  in  the 
uncouth  names  and  wild  imagery  into  which  he  thus 
plunges.  He  delights,  as  Milton  delighted,  in  the 
rhythmic  grandeur  of  semi-barbaric  names,  each  with 
its  associations  of  mystery  and  wonder. 

( 1)  The  question  lies  more  or  less  in  the  region  of  conjecture.  Hi* 
migration  to  Sicily  is  assigned  by  different  writers  now  to  this,  now  to 
that  cause,  and  is.  placed  by  some  before,  by  some  after,  the  de-.ith  <>' 
Gelon.  I  follow  Hermann  (f.'pusc.  ii.,  fie  Ckorn  E"intu  )  in  ilie  hypo- 
thesis that  the  accounts  may  be  reconciled  by  u£s>uuiing  tiiie*  or  won 
distinct  journeys. 


LIFE    OF    .ffiSCHYLOS. 


(2.)  As  thp  Greeks  were  thus  stimulated  in  their 
intellectual  life  by  the  spirit  of  discovery,  so  also  were 
they  by  their  struggle  for  political  freedom  against  the 
"tyranny"  of  Peisistratos  and  his  sons,  and  by  the 
contest — imminent  as  ^schylos  was  growing  up  to 
manhood,  and  over  before  any  of  his  extant  tragedies 
were  composed — with  the  non-Hellenic  races  gathered 
uuder  the  command,  first  of  Dareios  and  then  of 
Xerxes.  What  Spain  was  to  the  poets  of  England 
under  Elizabeth,  (to  return  to  the  analogy  already 
suggested,)  Persia  was  to  those  of  Greece,  and  the 
victory  of  Salamis  had  its  analogue  in  the  overthrow 
of  the  Armada.  It  was  the  lot  of  Sophocles,  then  a 
mere  stripling,  to  lead  the  choral  band  that  celebrated 
that  victory.  It  was  the  work  of  ^Eschylos,  in  the 
Persians,  (probably  the  earliest  of  his  extant  plays,)  to 
give  it  a  yet  more  illustrious  and  lasting  monument ; 
to  bring  before  an  Athenian  audience  the  strange 
dresses,  and  the  servile  prostrations,  and  the  wild 
wailings,  and  the  strange-sounding  names  of  the  de- 
feated invaders.  But  beyond  the  limits  of  that  play 
we  find  traces  of  the  same  feeling.  The  pride  and 
pomp  of  the  "  barbarian  "  are  instanced  in  the  embroi- 
dered tapestry  which  Clyttemnestra  spreads  for  the 
march  of  Agamemnon,  in  order  that  he  may  bring 
upon  himself  the  wrath  of  the  Hellenic  Gods,  (Agam. 
892.) 

(3.)  I  am  disposed  to  assign  a  larger  share  of  influ- 
ence upon  the  character  and  poetry  of  ^schylos  than 
is  commonly  recognised,  to  that  strange  mysterious 
personage  who  appeared  for  a  short  moment  on  the 
stage  of  Athenian  history  about  seventy  years  kefore 


LIFE    OF    ^SCHYLOS. 


his  birth,  (B.C.  596,)  Epirnenides,  the  prophet  of  Crete. 
Scanty  as  are  the  materials  for  any  history  of  the  man 
or  of  his  teaching,  it  is  clear  that  at  the  time  his  fame 
was  like  in  kind  and  almost  equal  in  degree  to  that  ot 
Pythagoras.1  The  ascetic  life,  (it  was  said  that  no 
man  ever  saw  him  eat;)  the  ecstatic  state  which  issued 
in  prophetic  utterances,  and  led  men  to  think  that  he 
was  communing  with  the  Gods  ;  the  sleep,  prolonged 
through  fifty  years,  out  of  which  he  woke  with  a  new 
and  heaven-taught  wisdom  ;  —  all  this  invested  him  in 
the  eyes  of  the  Greeks  with  a  mysterious,  supernatural 
character.2  Like  Balaam  the  son  of  Beor,  he  was  sent 
for  from  far  countries  to  bless  or  to  curse,  to  teach 
men  how  to  purify  their  land  from  the  guilt  of  blood, 
to  appease  their  dread  of  the  unseen  Powers.  His 
arrival  at  Athens  in  obedience  to  the  summons  which 
called  him  to  their  help,  when  pestilence  and  discoid 
seemed  to  proclaim  the  wrath  of  the  Gods  against  the 
guilt  which  the  "  bloody  Louse  "  of  the  Alcmaeonidaa 
had  brought  upon  the  land  bv  their  treacherous  murder 
of  Kylon  and  his  adherents,  must  have  left  a  deep 
impression.  Echoes  of  his  teaching  (so  far  as  that 
teaching  has  come  down  to  us  in  fragmentary  notices) 
are  found  in  .ZEschylos. 

(a.)  The  prophet  refers  all  his  power  to  predict  to 
the  wisdom  which  he  had  gained  in  his  long  slumber, 

(1)  It  has  been  often  said,  as  by  Cicero,   (Tiac.  Disp.  if.  10,)  fhat 
JEschylos  was   "  non  poeta  solum,  Bed  etiara  Pytlwgoreus  ;  "  and  Mr. 
Paley,  in  his  Preface,  has  enlarged  on  the  thought,  and  pointed  out  many 
interesting  coincidences  between  the  poet  and  the  philosopher.    For  the 
most  part,  however,  they  belong  to  tenets  characteristic  of  both  Pytha- 
goras and  Epimenides,  and  the  derivation  is  more  easily  traceable  in  the 
ease  of  the  latter  than  of  the  former. 

(2)  Comp.  Heinrich's   elaborate    monograph,    Epimenidet  atu    Kreta, 
Where  all  that  is  known  about  him  is  brought  together  and  discussed, 
and  JIoeck'B  Kreta,  iii.  2,  s.  11. 


LIFE    OF    .ffiSCHYLOS. 


and  which  was  renewed  in  visions  of  the  night.1  Tha 
poet  proclaims — 

"  And  slowly  dropping  on  the  heart  in  deep, 

Comes  woe-recording  care, 
And  makes  the  unwilling  yield  to  wiser  thoughts.** 

— Again,  v.  173. 

(fc.)  The  idea  of  a  transmitted  pollution  cleaving  to 
a  family  from  generation  to  generation,  sin  becoming 
the  penalty  of  sin,  until  some  one  comes  who,  by 
penitence  and  prayer,  and  rites  of  expiation,  obtains 
pardon  and  deliverance,  was  that  which  had  brought 
Epimenides  to  Athens.  He  is  pre-eminently  the 
"purifier,"  the  "prophet-healer,"  the  servant  of 
Apollo  in  the  work  of  cleansing  and  clearing  the  guilty, 
as  that  god  is  brought  before  us  in  the  Eumenides.  It 
is  needless  to  point  out  that  this  is  throughout  the 
key-note  of  tbe  Oresteian  trilogy.  We  meet  it  in 
Clyta3mnestra's  reference  to  the  Alastor,  the  avenging 
fiend,  with  whom  she  identifies  herself  (A/jam,  v.  1478) 
in  her  hope  that  her  crime  will — 

"  At  last  have  freed  my  house 

From  madness  that  sets  each  man's  hand  'gainst  each/' 

— (Agam.  v.  1552  ;) 

in  the  stress  which  Orestes  lays  on  the  rites  of  purifi- 
cation that  have  cleansed  him,  (Eumen.  v.  423.)  The 
more  generalised  teaching, 

"  But  how  to  hlot  the  guilt  of  kindred  hlood, 
This  needs  a  great  atonement,  many  victims 
falling  to  many  Gods,  to  heal  the  woe," 

—(Suppl.  v.  444,) 

U)  Ulaximua  Tyr.  xxxviii.  3. 


LIFE    OF    .ffiSCHYLOS. 


almost  reproduces  the  process  by  which  Epimenides  is 
said  to  have  purified  Athens  by  turning  loose  a  flock 
of  sheep,  black  and  white  mingled,  and  sacrificing  them 
to  the  Gods  at  whose  altars  they  fell,  erecting  an  altar, 
if  they  rested  where  none  existed  previously,  to  the 
UNKNOWN  or  to  an  unnamed  GOD.  Even  the  sacrifice 
of  Iphigeneia  has  a  parallel  in  the  story  preserved  by 
Atben&os  (xiii.  8),  that  a  noble  youth,  Cratinos,  had 
immolated  himself,  with  the  sanction  of  the  Cretan 
prophet,  to  appease  the  wrath  of  the  Gods. 

(c.)  Epimenides,  it  is  said,  on  leaving  Athens,  told 
its  inhabitants  to  erect  on  the  Areiopagos1  two  unhewn 
stones  as  altars  to  Outrage  (vflpis)  and  Shamelessness. 
They  were  to  look  on  those  personified  attributes  as 
the  demons  who  had  vexed  their  city,  and  whom  they 
must  entreat  never  again  to  trouble  them.  It  is  im- 
possible, I  think,  not  to  recognise  an  echo  of  that 
teaching,  (1)  in  the  reverence  which  2Eschylos  shows 
in  the  last  play  of  the  Oresteian  trilogy  for  the  court 
of  the  Areiopagos  ;  and  (2)  in  the  like  personification 
of  the  self-same  evil  Powers — 

"  But  Outrage  (u/3p«c)  done  of  old, 
Is  wont  to  breed  another  Outrage  still, 

Sporting  its  youth  in  human  miseries, 
At  once,  or  whensoe'er  the  fixed  time  cornea." 

— Agam.,  738. 

(d.)  The  Cretan  prophet  is  said  to  have  done  much 
to  naturalise  at  Athens  the  worship  of  the  Chthoniau 
Goddesses,  (dwelling,  i.e.,  in  the  thick  darkness  below 
the  Earth,)  known  as  the  Erinuyes  or  Euiuenides,  wha 

(1)  Clem.  Alex.,  frotrept.,  p.  tti;  Cicero,  Uf,  L<yibu*t  ii.  It. 


LIFE    OF    JESCHYLOS. 


are  so  prominent  in  the  poetry  of  ^Eschylos.1  The 
temple  to  them,  which  stood  on  the  Areiopagos,  and 
which  is  glorified  in  the  closing  scene  of  the  trilogy, 
was  said  to  have  been  built  under  the  direction  oi 
Epimenides. 

(«.)  The  seer  is  said  to  have  been  at  one  time  on 
the  point  of  dedicating  a  temple  to  the  Muses,  when  a 
voice  from  heaven  bade  him  stop,  and  be  for  the  future 
a  worshipper  of  Zeus  only.2  Whatever  view  we  may 
take  of  this,  as  indicating  a  step  upwards  te  a  mono- 
theistic creed,  we  cannot  fail  to  see  a  close  parallel  to 
it  in  the  words  of  the  dramatist — 

"  0  Zens — whate'er  He  be, 

Jt  that  nnme  please  him  well, 

By  that  on  him  I  call, 
Weighing  all  other  names,  I  fail  to  guess 
Aught  else  but  Zeus." — Agam.,  v.  155. 

(/.)  Lastly,  Epimenides  is  said  to  have  restrained 
the  unmeasured  barbaric  wailing  over  the  dead  to 
which  the  women  of  Athens  had  till  then  been  accus- 
tomed.3 And  here,  too,  his  teaching  is  echoed  by 
JEschylos.  He  brings  that  kind  of  wailing  forward  in 
the  Persians  as  characteristic  of  barbarian  manners ; 
he  hardly  ever  speaks  of  it  but  in  connection  with 
some  barbaric  name,  Mariandynian,  Kissian,  or  the 
like  ;  he  puts  into  the  mouth  of  Eteocles  a  vehement 
protest  against  it,  (Seven  ag.  Thebes,  vv.  169-190.) 

With  a  genius  so  formed  and  fashioned,  ^Eschylos 
followed  the  leading  of  the  time,  and  entered  on  hii 

Diog.  Laert.,  i.  12;  Plutarch.,  Solon.,  0.  IS. 
2)  Dio£.  Laert.,  i.  10. 
riutarcb.,  Solon.,  c.  12. 


LIFE    OF    -SSCHYLOS. 


work  as  a  dramatic  writer.  He  resembled  Phrynichos, 
as  we  have  seen,  in  his  choice  of  heroic  legends  or 
contemporary  history,  instead  of  the  revel  mimes  of 
the  older  Dionysia.  And  the  language  in  which  the 
tales  were  clothed  rose  also  far  above  the  earlier  level. 
He  was  the  first  of  the  Greeks  to  "  build  the  lofty 
rhyme,"1  to  bring  out  the  strange  compound  words, 
"  neck-breaking,"  "cumbrous,"  "  pegged  and  wedged 
and  dove-tailed,"  as  Aristophanes  called  them,  coined 
in  the  mint  of  his  own  brain  ;  to  startle  the  eyes  as 
•vrell  as  the  ears  of  his  audience  with  figures  of  mon- 
strous forms  of  animals,  winged  dragons,  beasts  half- 
cock  and  half-horse,  half-goat  and  half-stag,  like  those 
that  draw  the  chariots  of  Okeauos  in  the  Prometheus, 
of  Athena  in  the  FAimenides  ;  to  array  his  actors  in 
stately  robes,  so  gorgeous  that  they  were  afterwards 
copied  by  priests  in  temples  and  by  the  hierophants 
of  mysteries;2  to  trust  to  the  "  sensation  "  caused  by 
the  presence  of  actors  who  were  prominent  through 
the  whole  action  of  a  play,  but  never  opened  their  lips, 
or  spoke  but  a  single  sentence.3  If  we  would  appre- 
ciate his  dramas  as  we  read  them,  without  the  acces- 
sories which  accompanied  them  as  they  were  performed, 
we  must  remember  that  they  were  in  a  high  degree 
spectacles  rather  than  poems,  —  with  but  few  speakers, 
but  with  all  the  scenic  effect  of  dresses,  processions, 
and  decorations. 


(1)  Aristoph.,  Fr»ys,  943.  (2)  Athen.,  1.  p.  21. 

(3)  Anstoph.,  Fioys,  w.  906-912.  In  this  apparently  he  followed 
Phrynichos.  it  probably  belonged  to  his  earlier  manner.  No  instance 
Of  it  occurs  in  the  seven  extant  tragedies.  Aristophanes  refers  to 
Achilles  and  Niobe  as  the  characters  thus  represented.  In  the  Libattaa- 
Pourers,  however,  Pylades,  though  present  throughout  the  greater  part  of 
the  action  01  the  play,  spunks  but  ouce. 


IFE    OF    ^ESCHYLOS. 


The  personal  temperament  of  the  man  seems  to  have 
been  in  harmony  with  these  characteristics  of  hia 
genius.  Vehement,  passionate,  irascible  ;  writing  his 
tragedies  (as  later  critics  judged)  as  if  half-drunk, 
doing  (as  Sophocles  said  of  him)  what  was  right  in 
his  art  without  knowing  why;1  following  the  impulses 
that  led  him  to  strange  themes  and  dark  problems, 
rather  than  aiming  at  the  perfection  of  a  complete,  all- 
sided  culture ;  frowning  with  shaggy  brows,  like  a  wild 
bull,  glaring  fiercely,  and  bursting  into  a  storm  of 
wrath  when  annoyed  by  critics  or  rival  poets ;  a 
Marlow  rather  than  a  Shakspeare  :  this  i&  the  por- 
trait sketched  by  one  who  must  have  painted  a  figure 
still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  the  Athenians.2  Such  a  man, 
both  by  birth  and  disposition,  was  likely  to  attach 
himself  to  the  aristocratic  party,  and  to  look  with 
scorn  on  the  claims  of  the  demos  to  a  larger  bhare  of 
power.  His  ancestors  had  fougLt  against  Peisistratos, 
and  he  too  entered  his  protect  against  that  form  of 
government  which  the  Greeks  called  a  tyranny,  the 
despotism  of  a  political  adventurer,  self-raised  to  sove- 
reign power,  without  the  divine  sanction  which  attached 
to  the  old  hereditary  kings  who  traced  their  descent 
from  Zeus  himself.3  Through  his  whole  life,  he  was 
faithful  to  his  early  creed.  There  is  hardly  a  play  in 
which  some  political  bias  in  that  direction  may  not  be 
distinctly  traced.  The  time  of  his  greatest  popularity 
was  during  the  ascendancy  first  of  Aristeidcs  and  then 
of  Kimon.  When  his  star  waned  before  the  clearer, 
calmer,  less  fitful  light  of  Sophocles,  the  change  syn- 

(1)  Athan.,  X.  p.  428.  (2)  Aristovh..  Frogs,  v».  802-86* 

(a)  bee  the  passages  quoted  ill  p.  lu. 


LIFE    OF    .iESCHYLOS. 


chronised  with  the  rise  of  Pericles  to  political  supre- 
macy. It  was  natural  with  such  a  character  that  his 
career  as  a  dramatist  and  a  man  should  be  somewhat 
more  chequered  than  that  of  his  great  successor. 
Sophocles  was  from  first  to  last  the  favourite  of  the 
Athenians,  —  easy,  genial,  contented.  .^Eschylos  — 
quick  to  take  offence,  quick  also  to  give  it ;  startling 
men  by  strange  tours  deforce;  coming  into  direct  col- 
lision with  their  feelings,  moral,  political,  and  religious ; 
wounding  them  where  they  were  most  susceptible — 
experienced  the  mutability  of  popular  favour  in  a  more 
than  ordinary  degree.  The  incidents  of  his  life,  so 
far  as  they  are  known  to  us,  seem  to  point  to  a  series 
of  irritations,  misunderstandings,  and  temporary  aliena- 
tions between  him  and  his  countrymen. 

The  date  B.C.  499  is  fixed  for  his  first  dramatic  con- 
test with  Pratinas  and  Choerilos.1  He  was  not  suc- 
cessful ;  but  the  excitement  of  the  competition  drew 
BO  great  a  crowd  of  spectators,  that  the  wooden 
scaffolding  on  which  they  sat  gave  way.2  Partly  hurt 
at  his  defeat,  partly  urged  by  the  spirit  of  adventure, 
he  went,  as  has  been  said,  in  the  same  year  to  Sicily. 
His  absence  did  not  last  long.  He  was  at  Athens 
when  the  expedition  of  Datis  and  Artaphernes  threat- 
ened the  liberties  of  Greece,  and  he  and  his  brother 
Kynspgeiros  fought  at  Marathon.  Like  all  who  took 
part  in  that  first  great  battle  in  Athenian  history,  he 

(1)  The  chronology  depends  on  a  combination  of  the  two  notices  in 
Buidas  under  the  headings  ^Escliylos  and  Pratimia. 

('2)  Pausan.  AU.  i.  4 ;  buid;ts,  i.e.  It  is  interesting1  to  note  that  thia 
disaster  led  the  Athenians  to  build  their  tirst  stone  theatre  for  the 
Dionysiac  festivals,  and  so  prepared  the  w:iy  for  the  stately  buskin,  and 
the  £orf<«ous  dresses,  and  thu  other  bt.i^e  eli'ects  which  .dischjios  and  Uu* 
•auteniporaries  were  nut  siow  U>  introduce. 
C 


*IX1T  1IFE    OF   JESCHYLOS. 


looked  back  on  it  as  the  great  glory  of  his  life.  "When 
he  wrote  his  own  epitaph,  in  advanced  age  and  in  a 
distant  land,  it  was  to  record,  not  that  he  had  been  a 
poet  and  had  won  thirteen  prizes  from  the  Athenian 
people,  but  that  the  "  plain  of  Marathon  and  the  long- 
haired Mede  "  could  attest  his  well-tried  valour.1 

The  glory  of  Marathon  was,  however,  probably  fol- 
lowed by  the  mortification  of  another  defeat.  The 
Athenians  (already  pushing  forward  to  intellectual  as 
well  as  military  excellence)  wanted  for  those  who  had 
fallen  in  the  battle  an  elegy  that  should  be  worthy  of  their 
fame,  and  when  the  prize  was  awarded  to  Simonides, 
^Eschylos,  it  is  said,  was  irritated  at  his  failure,  and 
again  took  his  departure  for  Sicily  in  B.C.  488.z  Gelon 
was  at  that  time  rising  to  power,  and  with  him,  almost 
sharing  his  authority,  was  his  brother  Hieron.  In  that 
prince,  the  patron  of  poets  and  philosophers,  the  friend 

(1)  The  epitaph  is  given,  p.  xlvii. 

(2)  The  two  epitaphs  are  given  in  th«  Anthologia  Grosea,  and  may  be 
rendered  as  follows : — 

SIJIONIDBS. 

Farewell,  ye  heroes,  warriors  famed  in  fight, 
Ye  youth  of  Athens,  horsemen  strong  in  might, 
Who  for  your  goodly  country  gave  your  prime, 
And  in  the  sight  of  all  of  Helliis'  clime, 
Fought  against  myriads  with  a  faith  sublime  1 

.328CHYLO8. 

These  valiant  swordsmen  gloomy  Fate  laid  low. 
In  act  to  free  the  plains  where  roam  the  sheep, 

But  still  for  those  who  yielded  to  the  blow 
Lives  glory,  though  in  Ossa's  dust  they  sleep. 

The  two  elegiac  poems  here  given  are  identified  with  the  Marathonisn 
epitaphs  by  Stanley,  in  his  notes  on  the  Life  of  ^schylos,  with  a  "  facile 
crederem,"  (ii.  p.  172)  ;  by  Droysen.  (ii.  p.  302) ;  and  by  Bunsen,  (God  in 
History,  ii.  p.  153),  without  any  qualification.  I  agree,  however,  with 
Bode  (Geidiicfitr,  des  HtUenisctien  [Hchtkunst,  ii.  p.  262;  iii.  p.  '2li>,)  in  look- 
ing on  the  conjecture  as  very  uncertain  in  either  case.  That  ascribed 
to  ^schylos  seems  to  refer  to  some  unrecorded  act  of  heroism  on  the  part 
at  the  Thessalians,  and  is  indeed  described  in  some  MSB.  as  written 
£v  their  warriors.— See  Jacobs'  ^nUwUjg.  israta,  notee  ua  Book  vu, 


LIFE    OF    JKSCUYLOS. 


erf  Pindar  and  Simonides, — immortalised  by  the  forme* 
as  victor  at  Olympic  games, — he  found  a  liberal  patron. 
Sicily  became  almost  a  second  home  to  him,  a  place  of 
refuge  after  any  trouble  or  disappointment  in  his  own 
city.  This  time,  however,  his  absence  was  not  of  long 
duration,  and  in  the  interval  between  Marathon  and 
Salamis,  in  B.C.  484,  he  was  for  the  first  time  success- 
ful in  his  competition  with  those  who  had  been  the 
leading  dramatic  poets,  Pratinas,  Phrynichos,  and 
Choerilos.  It  was  the  beginning  of  a  series  of  thirteen 
like  successes.1  Most,  if  not  all,  the  prizes  awarded 
to  him  were  obtained  between  that  date  and  B.C.  470. 
It  was  the  period  when  the  policy  of  Kimon  and  Aris- 
teides  was  in  the  ascendant,  when  the  Eupatrids  were* 
yet  able  to  resist  the  encroachments  of  the  democracy. 
With  that  policy  then,  as  afterwards,  ZEschylos  identi- 
fied himself.  He  was  the  poet  of  the  conservative 
party,  as  Sophocles  was  afterwards  the  representative 
poet  of  the  cultivated  liberalism  of  that  of  Pericles. 

Of  the  plays  now  extant,  the  Persians  stands  first  in 
order  of  time.  Written,  as  it  was,  within  eight  years 
of  the  battle  of  Salamis,  it  appealed  to  those  in  whose 
memories  every  incident  of  the  battle  was  yet  iresh- 
The  vividness  and  minuteness  of  the  account  there 
given  of  the  engagement  seems  to  indicate  that  he 
himself,  like  his  brother  Arneinias,  had  a  large  share 
in  the  glory  of  the  day.2  It  has  accordingly  the  in- 

(1)  The  total  number  of  dramas  ascribed  to  him  is  stated  by  Snidas  a* 
ninety,  by  the  anonymous  biographer  as  seventy.    We  have  the  titles  of 
*eventy-eight. 

(2)  To  Ameinias  the  Athenians  awarded  the  aristeia,  or  prize  of  valour, 
M  to  the  man  who,  of  all  the  Greeks  that  fought  at  Salamis,  had  done  the 
worthiest  deeds.    Some  years  afterwards,  when  2Eschylos  was  accused  of 
impiety,  as  having  divulged  the  mysteries,  and  was  on  the  point  of  being 
•toned,  Amoiniita  was  said  to  havo  shown  the  arm,  the  baud  of  which.  had 


SLXXvi  LIFE    OF    /ESCHYLOS. 

terest  of  being  a  contemporary  record  by  an  eye- 
witness, and  represented  before  eye-witnesses,  and 
gives,  we  may  well  believe,  a  truer  account  than  that 
which  we  find  forty  years  later  in  Herodotos,  when 
there  had  been  time  for  the  growth  of  numerous  em- 
bellishments, approaching  in  some  instances  almost  to 
the  character  of  legends.  The  drama  itself  is  for  us, 
perhaps,  apart  from  this  fact,  one  of  the  least  interest- 
ing of  the  seven  extant  plays.  At  the  time,  it  was 
probably  accepted  as  worthy  of  the  triumph  which  it 
celebrated.  To  understand  the  Persians,  we  must 
think  of  it  as  a  spectacle,  performed  before  thousands 
of  those  who  had  fought  themselves,  or  had  had 
brothers  or  fathers  in  the  battle,  exulting  over  the 
thought  that  the  Gods  had  fought  for  them,  and  that 
their  enemies  had  been  defeated.  The  nearest  ana- 
logue in  literature,  in  spite  of  the  difference  in  form,  is 
found  in  the  Song  of  Deborah.  The  close  of  that 
hymn,  picturing,  as  it  does,  the  mother  of  Sisera  look- 
ing out  of  her  lattice,  anticipating  tidings  of  victory 
when  she  is  about  to  hear  those  of  utter  failure,  sug- 
gests a  theme  which,  with  a  nation  of  greater  dramatic 
power  than  the  Hebrews,  might  have  been  developed 
as  ^schylos  does  tho  like  emotions  in  the  mother  of 
Xerxes.  In  each  case  the  poem  supplies  facts  which 
the  history,  compiled  at  a  later  period,  omits  or 
colours.1  In  both  there  is  the  same  fiery  glow,  the 

t>««i  lost  at  PnlnmiB,  and  with  that  to  have  pleaded  his  brother's  cans«. 
The  judges  yielded  to  the  appeal,  mid  gave  a  verdict  of  acquittal.  Thia 
apparently  WHS  the  trial  of  which  Clement  of  Alexandria,  in  the  passag* 
already  quoted,  gives  so  different  an  account.— Julian.  V.H.  v.  19. 

(1)  Comp.,  e.g.,  the  account  of  the  disaster  which  befell  the  Persians  a« 
they  crossed  the  frozen  Stiymon,  (fern.  vv.  500—510,1  and  that  of  thg 
destruction  of  the  hosts  of  Jabin  as  they  crossed  thf  swollen  torrent  ol 
the  Kihhou  (Judg.  v.  21,  24. 


LIFE    OF    .SSCHYLOS. 


same  sense  of  a  victory  over  aliens.  In  the  work  of 
the  Athenian,  we  must  not  forget  that  what  seems  to 
us  as  we  read  it,  the  monstrous  iteration  of  interjec- 
tions, cries,  lamentations,  must  have  been,  as  it  was 
performed,  one  of  its  most  striking  features.  It  was 
because  these  wailings,  and  tearing  of  hair,  and  beat- 
ing of  breasts,  and  rending  of  robes,  were  regarded  as 
especially  Asiatic  and  barbarous,  that  the  Athenians 
loved  to  listen  to,  and  to  look  on  them,  when  they 
were  associated  with  the  defeat  and  disgrace  of  their 
foes.  Their  own  civilisation  had  raised  them  above 
these  violent  displays  of  grief,  and  from  the  time  of 
Solon,  who  had  legislated  against  them,  even  wives 
and  mothers  had  learnt  to  bear  the  deaths  of  those 
they  loved  with  a  more  decent  and  tranquil  sorrow. 

The  success  which  had  attended  this  treatment  of  a 
naval  engagement,  led  -ZEschylos,  in  his  next  trilogy, 
probably  in  the  following  year,  (B.C.  471,)  to  take 
another  equally  warlike,  ("  fall  of  Ares,"  as  Aristo- 
phanes calls  it,)  and  to  represent  in  The  Seven  who 
fonyht  against  Thebex  the  incidents  of  a  siege,  the  war- 
riors heading  the  storming-party,  each  bearing  his 
shield,  the  leaders  with  some  device  and  motto  painted 
on  it  in  bright  colours,  the  women  of  the  besieged  city 
going  in  procession  to  offer  their  prayers  at  the  shrinea 
of  the  Gods,  the  scouts  looking  out  from  the  ramparts, 
and  bringing  back  word  of  the  disposition  of  the 
enemy's  forces,  and  the  issue  of  the  conflict.  The  fact 
that  he  was  writing  of  a  mythical,  not  of  an  actual  war 
in  which  living  men  had  taken  part,  robs  The  Seven 
against  Thebes,  indeed,  of  the  interest  which  attaches 
to  the  Persians.  But  here  also  there  was  a  political 


1IFK    OF    .ffiSCHYLOS. 


purpose  mingling  with  the  poet's  work.  The  bearing 
of  the  play  was  directed  against  the  policy  of  aiming 
at  the  supremacy  of  Athens  by  attacking  other  Greek 
states.  It  brought  before  men  the  horrors  that  attend 
the  capture  of  a  city,  and  led  them  to  ask  whether 
these  horrors  should  be  perpetrated  on  a  Hellenic  city 
by  those  who  spoke  the  same  Hellenic  speech,  (Seven 
ag.  Thebes,  vv.  78-168.)  It  maintained,  that  is,  the 
policy  of  Aristeides  as  against  that  of  Themistocles, 
and  when  the  words  were  uttered  which  described  a 
statesman  and  a  general  "who  sought  to  be  just  in 
deed  as  well  as  name,"1  (v.  588,)  the  enthusiasm 
which  burst  out  from  an  audience  raised  to  the  highest 
pitch  of  excitement,  showed  that  the  skill  of  the  poet 
had  not  been  wasted. 

Within  a  few  years,  (in  B.C.  4G8,)  the  career  of  suc- 
cess was  interrupted  by  the  rising  genius  of  a  poet  of 
higher  culture,  and  the  first  prize  at  the  Dionysian 
festival  was  awarded  to  Sophocles,  then  in  his  twenty- 
ninth  year.  The  defeat  was,  perhaps,  the  more  mor- 
tifying as  occurring  under  the  direction  of  Kimon,  the 
leader  of  the  party  to  which  ^Eschylos  had  attached 
himself.8  It  led  him  to  leave  Athens  for  a  time,  and  to 
visit  Sicily.  Other  causes  may  have  contributed  to  that 
decision.  He  had  incurred,  it  is  said,  at  some  period 
the  date  of  which  it  is  not  easy  to  fix,  the  displeasure 
of  the  Athenians  by  introducing  in  his  drama  some  of 
the  mystic  rites  which  were  confined  to  the  initiated 
few.  The  spectators,  seeiug  on  the  stage  what  many 
among  them  knew  to  belong  to  the  mysteries  of  Eleu« 

(1)  Plutarch,  Arist.  o.  8. 

U)  Plutarch,  A"i«i.    ComD.  the  account  in  my  Life  o 


LIFE    OF    jESCHYLOS. 


eis,  were  roused  to  a  wild  frenzy,  and  rushed  upon  the 
poet,  who,  as  himself  acting,  was  on  the  stage.  His 
life  was  in  danger,  and  he  only  escaped  by  fleeing  to 
the  altar  of  Dionysos  as  to  the  privilege  of  sanctuary. 
By  the  intercession  of  members  of  the  court  of  Areio- 
pagos,  he  was  rescued,  brought  to  a  more  formal  trial, 
and  acquitted.1  If  the  Prometheus,  the  date  of  which 
is  uncertain,  had  been  performed  before  this  time,  it 
may  well  have  contributed  to  shock  the  feelings  of  the 
Athenians.  He  had  probably,  as  has  been  before 
stated,  been  previously  acquainted  with  the  country, 
and  had  already  come  within  the  attraction  of  the  pa- 
tronage extended  by  Hieron  to  artists  and  men  of 
letters.  Here,  it  is  said,  he  composed  dramas,  the 
subject-matter  of  which  was  taken  from  local  legends, 
—The  Women  of  JEtna,  and  the  like ;  and,,  at  the 
request  of  Hieron,  reproduced  the  Persians  on  the 
stage  of  Syracuse.  Here  too  he  may  have  heard  of 
the  ravages  of  the  great  volcanic  eruption  of  B.C.  477, 
to  which  he  refers  in  his  Prometheus,  (vv.  870-380,) 
even  if  he  had  not  been  one  of  the  actual  spectators 
during  his  previous  visit. 

The  date  assigned  to  the  Suppliants  rests  upon  the 
assumption  that  it  is  connected  with  the  alliance  be- 

(l)  The  account  is  given  by  Eustratnis  (p.  40)  in  a  passage  quoted  by 
I/obeck,  (Aglanph.  i.  12.)  The  trilogy  which  gave  occasion  to  the  suspi- 
cion is  said  to  have  included  the  plays  of  Sisyphos,  Iphigeneia,  and  (Edipus. 
Lobeck  inclines  to  the  belief,  not  that  there  was  any  disclosure  of  the 
•eeret  dnctrineg  of  the  mysteries,  (if  indeed  there  were  any  such,)  but  that 
eome  solemn  stag*  procession,  like  that  which  we  find  at  the  close  of  the 
EumcniUes,  startled  the  Athenians  by  its  resemblance  to  that  with  which 
the  initiated  were  familiar:  It  is  in  connexion  with  this  charge  that  w« 
meet  with  the  two  versions  of  the  stO7-y  given  respectively  by  Mlia* 
and  Clement  of  Alexandria— (1.)  That  his  brother  Ameinias  pleaded  fur 
him  with  his  handless  arm  ;  (!i.)  That  he  defended  himself  by  asserting 
thai,  he  hail  never  been  initiated  in  the  mysteries,  and  therefore  could  not 
diwlge  them. 


LIFE    OF    ^SCHYLOS. 


tween  Argos  and  Athens,  which  was  entered  on  io 
B.C.  461,  and  the  war  with  the  Persian  forces  in 
Egypt,  upon  which  the  Athenians  had  entered  aa 
allies  of  the  Libyan  prince  Inaros  and  a  section  of  the 
Egyptian  population.1  That  connexion  accounts  for 
the  popularity  of  a  tragedy  in  which,  as  in  the  Per- 
sians, we  find  more  of  the  excellence  of  a  spectacle 
than  a  poem.  The  object  was  to  represent  the  ene- 
mies of  another  race  with  whom  they  were  in  conflict, 
as  more  barbarous  and  insolent  than  the  Persians 
themselves.  The  allusions  to  the  wolves  of  Hellas 
as  stronger  than  the  dogs  of  Egypt ;  to  the  barley- 
bread  and  wine  of  the  Hellenes  as  better  than  the 
byblos  fruit  and  beer  of  the  Egyptians,  (SuppL,  vv. 
740-930 ;)  the  implied  reminder  that  there  might  be 
found  affinities  of  race  and  religion  among  some  of  the 
Egyptians,  in  spite  of  diversities  of  dress  and  com- 
plexion ; — all  these  had,  we  may  well  believe,  a  sig- 
nificance at  the  time  which  it  is  difficult  for  us  now  to 
estimate. 

The  date  of  the  trilogy  of  which  the  Prometheut 
Bound  forms  a  part,  is  more  a  matter  of  conjecture 
than  that  of  any  other  of  the  plays  of  .ZEschylos. 
SoiLe,  on  the  strength  of  the  reference  to  /Etna, 
(v.  874,)  have  supposed  it  to  have  been  written  shortly 
after  the  eruption  took  place  B.C.  477  ;  others  have 
referred  it  to  B.C.  470.  In  the  absence  of  more  direct 
evidence,  it  is  open  to  maintain  as  probable  that  it 
belongs  to  the  period  after  he  had  returned  from  Sicily, 
when  allusions  to  its  phenomena  would  be  natural, 
and  after  the  attention  of  the  Athenians  had  beea 

Cl)  Thuo    i.  102-104. 


LIFK    OF    /ESCHYLOS.  xli 

drawn,  by  the  force  of  circumstances,  to  the  legends 
of  Egypt.  The  prominence  given  to  the  episode  of 
lo  and  Epaphos  is  hardly  intelligible,  unless  it  is 
taken  in  connexion  with  the  position  which  that  legend 
occupies  in  the  Suppliants.  The  pervading  unity  of 
thought  in  the  two  plays,  so  far  as  they  both  deal 
with  the  seeming  caprice  and  cruelty  of  Zeus,  and  yet 
imply  an  ultimate  prevalence  of  his  compassion,  be- 
longs to  another  region  of  inquiry.  It  may  be  touched 
on  here  as  at  least  strengthening  the  circumstantial 
evidence  of  the  probable  nearness  of  the  two  plays  as 
to  the  date  of  their  composition.  It  is  possible  that 
the  lines  in  which  Prometheus  generalises  his  expe- 
rience as  to  the  ingratituc^a  of  princes — 

"  For  somehow  this  disease  in  sovereignty     • 
Inheres,  of  never  trusting  to  one's  friends," 

— ,1'rom.,  230) — 

may  have  had  their  origin  in  some  slight  which  the 
irascible  poet  may  have  thought  he  had  received  at  the 
hands  of  Hieron. 

The  date  of  the  Oresteian  trilogy  is  fixed,  both  by 
external  and  internal  evidenca,  at  B.C.  458.  In  the 
ten  years  which  had  passed  since  the  first  success  of 
Sophocles,  the  greater  part  of  which  had  been  spent 
by  ^schylos  abroad,  the  principles  to  which  the  latter 
were  most  opposed  had  made  rapid  progress.  He 
found  on  his  return  new  men,  new  measures,  a  new 
philosophy,  a  new  taste  in  poetry.  The  old  order  of 
the  days  of  Marathon  was  passing  away.  Men  who 
could  claim  no  connexion  with  Eupatrid  descent  were 
pressing  forward  to  the  foremost  place  of  power.  The 


LIFE   OF    .ffiSCHYLOS. 


institutions  which  were  held  most  sacred  as  the  safe- 
guard of  Athenian  religion  were  criticised  and  attacked. 
The  court  of  Areidpagos,  which  had  exercised  an  awful 
and  undefined  authority  in  all  matters  connected, 
directly  or  indirectly,  with  the  religious  life  of  the 
state,  was  covertly  attacked  under  the  plea  of  reform- 
ing its  administration.  Oracles  and  divinations  no 
longer  commanded  men's  reverence  and  trust.  There 
were  whispers  that  men  were  beginning  to  say  that 
there  was  no  God,  or  that  the  old  name  of  Zeus  was 
to  pass  away  before  those  of  a  Supreme  Intelligence, 
or  a  measureless  Vortex.  And  the  leader  of  the  move- 
ment in  all  its  bearings  upon  religion,  politics,  art,  and 
thought,  was  one  who  inherited  the  curse  of  the  Alc- 
mseonidae,  against  whom  the  aristocratic  party  had 
revived  the  memory  of  that  curse,  who  had  been  sus- 
pected himself  of  sacrilege  and  scepticism  an  account 
of  his  connexion  with  Anaxagoras. 

It  is  impossible  to  mistake  the  bearing  of  the  whole 
trilogy  upon  the  state  of  things  thus  described.  We 
hear  the  protest  of  the  poet  of  conservatism  against 
the  coming  changes,  and  his  praise  of  the  old  Eupa« 
trids,  in  the  words  which  proclaim,  — 

"  Great  gain  it  is  to  meet  with  lords  who  own 
Ancestral  wealth.     But  whoso  reap  full  crops 
They  never  dared  to  hope  for,  these  in  all, 
And  beyond  measure,  to  their  slaves  are  harsh." 

—  Ayatn.,  1010-13. 

The  excellence  of  a  constitutional  government,  such 
as  the  Athenians  had  inherited,  and  the  necessity  of 
reverence  as  its  safeguard,  is  urged  in  the  speech  of 
Athena  : 


LIFE    OF    ./ESCHYLOS.  xliii 

44 1  give  my  counsel  to  you,  citizens, 
To  reverence  and  guard  well  that  form  of  state 
Which  is  nor  lawless  nor  tyrannical, 
And  not  to  cast  all  fear  from  out  the  city." 

—  Eumen.,  666-9. 

The  scepticism  of  those  who  could  not  trace  a  divine 
order  in  the  mingled  course  of  human  life  and  its 
events,  meet  with  his  rebuke  in  terms  which  must 
have  suggested  a  direct  application  to  some  well-known 
individual  teacher  like  Anaxagoras  : 

"  Yea,  one  there  was  who  said 
The  Gods  deign  not  to  care  for  mortal  men, 
By  whom  the  grace  of  things  inviolable 

Is  trampled  under  foot : 

No  fear  of  God  had  he." — Agam.,  360-4. 

The  idea  cf  a  curse  hanging  over  the  doers  of  guilt  to 
the  third  and  fourth  generation,  was  dwelt  upon  aa 
illustrated  at  every  stage  by  the  history  of  the  sons  of 
Atreus  :  while  the  poet  at  once  saved  himself  from  the 
charge  of  making  God  the  author  of  man's  evil,  and 
sharpened  the  edge  of  his  attack  upon  the  democratic 
leader,  by  declaring  that  the  curse  was  transmitted 
because  each  generation  accepted  and  reproduced  the 
deeds  of  its  fathers  : 

"  There  lives  an  old  saw,  framed  in  ancient  days, 
In  memories  of  men,  that  high  estate, 
Full  grown,  brings  forth  its  young,  nor  childless  dies, 

But  that  from  good  success 
Springs  to  the  race  a  woe  insatiable. 

But  I,  apart  from  all, 

Hold  this  my  creed  alone: 
For  impious  act  it  is  that  offspring  breeds 

Like  to  their  parent  stock." 

He  proclaims,  as  the  burden  of  his  prophecy,  that— 


LIFE    OF    .ffiSCHYLOS. 


"  Recklessness  of  old 
Is  wont  to  breed  another  Recklessness."  —  Agam.,  731-96. 

The  natural  exultation  of  Pericles  and  his  party,  such 
as  we  find  later  in  the  Funeral  Oration  of  Thuc.  ii. 
35-46,  in  the  material  prosperity  and  political  greatness 
of  Athens,  is  met  with  the  warning  that  all  such  pros- 
perity is  hollow  and  uncertain  : 

"  But  Justice  shineth  bright 
In  dwellings  that  are  dark  and  dim  with  smoke, 

And  honours  life  law-ruled, 
While  gold-decked  homes  conjoined  with  hands  denied 

She  with  averted  eyes 

Hath  left,  and  draweth  near 
To  holier  things,  nor  worships  might  of  wealth, 

If  counterfeit  its  praise."  —  Agam.,  750. 

"  Of  high,  o'erflowing  health 
There  is  no  limit  fixed  that  satisfies  ; 
For  evermore  disease,  as  neighbour  close, 

"Whom  but  a  wall  divides, 
Upon  it  presses,  and  man's  prosperous  state 
Moves  on  its  course,  and  strikes 

Upon  an  unseen  rock."  —  Agam.,  971. 

All  tendencies  to  new  and  more  philosophical  thoughts 
of  the  Gods  than  those  of  the  Greek  people,  are  re- 
pressed by  the  protest  already  quoted  : 

"Weighing  all  other  names,  I  fail  to  guess 
Aught  else  but  Zeus,  if  I  would  cast  aside 

Clearly,  in  very  deed, 
From  off  my  soul  this  weight  of  vaguest  care." 

—  Agam.,  154. 

The  helief  that  man  receives  course!  and  guidance 
from  oracles  and  prophets,  and  in  visions  of  the  night, 
is  again  and  again  asserted.  Loxiae  is  the  prophet  of 
h\s  father  Zeus,  (Eumen.  19,)  and  the  poet  turns  to— 


LIFE    OF    ^SCHYLOS. 


"Zeus,  who  leadeth  men  in  wisdom's  way, 
And  fixeth  fast  the  law, 
That  pain  is  gain." — Agam.t  170. 

The  belief  that  men  incurred  a  guilt  by  deeds  of  vio- 
lence and  wrong,  and  yet  could  be  cleansed  from  that 
guilt  by  rites  of  expiation,  such  as  Epimenides  had 
taught  and  practised,  is  the  key-note,  as  has  been 
already  shown,  both  of  the  Libation- P our ers  and  the 
Eumenides.  The  very  ceremonies  of  purification  are 
dwelt  on,  like  those  of  supplication,  with  a  manifest 
delight.  And,  lastly,  the  whole  scheme  and  interest  of 
the  trilogy  culminates  in  the  assertion,  in  the  last  play, 
of  the  divine  authority  of  the  Areiopagos,  Personal 
gratitude  for  the  help  which  the  leading  members  of 
that  court  had  given  to  the  poet-prophet  of  their  party 
in  his  hour  of  peril  may  have  combined  with  his  reli- 
gious convictions  to  lead  him  to  rush  to  the  rescue 
when  it  too  was  imperilled.  It  is  represented  as  insti- 
tuted by  the  guardian  Goddess  of  the  State : 

"  This  council  I  establish  pure  from  bribe, 
Reverend,  and  keen  to  act,  for  those  that  sleep 
An  ever- watchful  sentry  of  the  land." — £umen.t  674. 

Even  the  Argive  alliance,  as  part  of  the  policy  of  those 
who  defended  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Areiopagos,  is 
dwelt  011  as  that  which  shall — 

"  Last  as  law  for  evermore." — Eutnen.,  643. 

It  was,  in  part,  owing  to  the  earnestness  which  made 
the  Oresteian  trilogy  the  channel  through  which  to  utter 
the  deepest  convictions  of  his  heart,  that  it  rises  to 


xlvi  LIFE   OF   JESCHYLOS. 

such  a  high  pre-eminence  over  all  the  other  works  ol 
JSschylos.  But  in  part,  also,  that  pre-eminence  is  dne 
to  the  gradual  ripening  of  powers  that  had  at  first 
been  spasmodic  and  irregular  in  their  action.  The 
poet  had  profited  even  by  the  discipline  of  defeat,  and 
had  learnt  some  lessons  from  the  higher  finish  and 
more  conscious  art  of  his  younger  rival.1  Written  at 
the  age  of  sixty,  and  but  three  years  before  his  death, 
the  trilogy  exhibits  all  his  powers  in  their  full  perfec- 
tion. There  is  a  far  deeper  human  interest,  a  fuller 
unfolding  of  human  passions,  than  we  find  in  the  Per- 
sians, the  Suppliants,  or  the  Seven  against  Thebes. 
While  the  "  spectacle"  element  was  not  wanting,  it  was 
no  longer  the  chief  source  of  interest.  Of  all  the  earlier 
plays,  the  Prometheus  is  the  only  one  which  at  all 
approaches  to  it  in  greatness,  and  that  is  but  a  frag- 
ment of  a  whole,  requiring  the  two  lost  companion 
plays  to  enable  us  to  judge  fairly  of  its  excellence.  No 
character  in  any  other  can  be  compared  with  that  ol 
Clytajmnestra. 

The  actual  result  of  the  representation  as  a  political 
movement  was  disappointing.  It  did  not  stop  the 
action  of  the  reforming  party.  The  schemes  of  Ephi- 
altes  and  Pericles  were  carried  into  effect,  and  the 
Areiopagos,  though  not  abolished,  lost  something  of  its 
old  power  and  more  of  its  old  glory.  The  introduction 
in  the  Eumenides  of  a  chorus  of  the  avenging  Erinnyes, 
fifty  in  number,  with  masks  of  unequalled  and  horrible 
ugliness, — serpents  twisted  in  their  hair,  blood  dropping 

(1)  Such,  e.g.,  as  the  introduction  of  a  third  actor  in  the  dialogues,  more 
elaborate  and  expressive  dances,  the  "pantomime"  which  told  a  tale 
without  •words,  tliu  buskin,  and  the  masks  which  increased  the  voluuia 
at  the  voice. 


LIFE    OF    .ffiSCHYLOS. 


from  their  eyes,  a  red  tongue  projecting  between  thedr 
lips,  —  so  startled  the  spectators  that  it  was  said  to 
have  sent  children  into  fits  and  frightened  women  into 
miscarriage.  Popular  feeling  was  once  more  excited 
against  him.  The  old  charges  were  probably  raked  up. 
The  poet  of  a  failing  party  could  not  live  harmoniously 
with  the  Athenian  demos.  He  left  Athens  soon  after 
the  date  of  the  trilogy,  never  to  return,  and  settled 
once  more  at  Gela  under  the  patronage  of  Hieron. 

The  three  years  that  followed  were  spent  in  the 
fullest  activity  as  a  writer.  To  this  period  some  have 
referred  the  repetition  of  the  Persians  and  the  compo- 
sition of  the  Women  of  JEtna,  which  have  been 
assigned  here  to  an  earlier  visit.  He  was,  at  all 
events,  a  welcome  and  an  honoured  guest.  His  death, 
if  the  account  given  be  not  mythical,  was  the  result  of 
a  strange  casualty.  An  eagle  seized  a  tortoise  and 
carried  it  off,  dropped  it  that  it  might  break  the  shell 
and  get  at  the  flesh,  and  it  fell  upon  the  head  of 
^Eschylos,  as  he  was  in  the  act  of  writing,  and  killed 
him  on  the  spot.  He  was  buried  at  Gela,  and  on  his 
monument  was  placed  an  epitaph  which,  it  was  said, 
he  had  composed  for  himself,  and  which,  in  the  absence 
of  all  mention  of  what  the  Sicilians  most  honoured  in 
him,  and  the  prominence  given  to  what  the  poet  looked 
oja  as  the  great  glory  of  his  life,  has  at  least  a  strong 
internal  presumption  in  favour  of  its  genuineness  : 

"  This  tomb  the  dust  of  J^schylos  doth  hide, 
Euphorion's  son,  and  fruitful  Gela's  pride; 
How  tried  his  valour  Marathon  may  tell, 
And  long-haired  Medes  who  knew  it  all  too  well." 

The   Athenians    showed    their    reverence   for    hif 


Xlviii          ''  LIFE    OK    .SSCHYLOS. 

memory  by  a  decree,  that  any  one  who  would  under- 
take to  represent  his  dramas  should  be  supplied  with  a 
giant  from  the  public  treasury  to  defray  the  cost.1 

II.— THE  THEOLOGY  OF  ^SCHYLOS. 

The  question,  "  What  did  this  or  that  poet  believe 
as  to  the  will  of  God,  the  government  of  the  universe, 
the  destinies  of  mankind  ?"  seems  to  a  large  school  of 
critics  an  almost  idle  inquiry.  "  We  are  concerned," 
they  say,  "  with  the  elements  of  perfection  in  his  work, 
not  with  his  opinions  or  beliefs.  The  function  of  the 
poet  is  that  of  the  supreme  artist,  capable  of  sympa- 
thising with  all  fixed  moods  and  passing  impulses  of 
man's  nature,  so  far  as  to  gain  the  power  of  repro- 
ducing them,  and  therefore  with  his  religious  affections 
among  others.  His  own  religious  affections,  if  he  have 
any,  are  nought  to  us.  He  is  called  to 

•  Sit  apart,  holding  no  form  of  creed, 
And  contemplating  all ; ' 

to  be  many-sided,  myriad-minded,  as  Shakspeare  and 
Goethe  were.  Strong  convictions,  a  definite  creed, 
may  have  their  value,  in  the  formation  of  character  or 
in  various  forms  of  action  upon  men ;  but  as  regards 
the  poet's  work,  they  are  simply  detrimental ;  tending, 
at  the  best,  to  a  second-rate  excellence,  marring  the 
fair  bloom  and  exquisite  beauty  of  the  artist's  work- 
manship, bringing  it  down  to  the  level  of  hymns,  or 
sermons  in  verse,  or  didactic  morality." 

(1)  It  is  argued,  however,  by  Bahrn,  in  his  De  Vittt  Jtschyli,  that  thii 
rather  implies  that  the  dramas  were  not  popular  enough  to  be  perlorrned 
••nthout  some  such  legislative  protection. 


LIFE   OF    ^ESCHYLOS.  lilt 

The  question  thus  raised  is  a  wider  one  than  can  De 
adequately  discussed  now.  It  may  be  conceded  that 
the  power  of  entering  into  other  forms  of  character, 
and  therefore  into  other  forms  of  religious  belief  than  his 
own,  is  essential  to  the  highest  work  of  the  poet,  an  indis- 
pensable condition  of  the  drama  or  the  dramatic  idyll. 
But  the  critics  who  infer  from  this  that  the  excellence 
of  the  poet  varies  inversely  as  the  strength  of  his 
religious  convictions,  seem  to  forget — (1.)  That  this 
contemplation  of  many  creeds,  this  power  of  drama- 
tising the  inner  life  of  each,  is  only  possible  when  the 
poet  is  the  heir  of  many  ages,  and  has  himself  lived 
through  a  manifold  experience.  It  belongs  to  the 
latest  period  of  national  culture.  One  might  almost 
speak  of  it  as  a  symptom  of  national  decay.  It  comes, 
when  firm  faith  and  strong  emotion,  bounding  joy  and 
passionate  hope,  have  died  out ;  and  it  is  not  easy  to 
strike  the  balance  of  what  has  been  lost  and  gained 
since  the  earlier  days,  when  men  sang  and  wrote 
because  "  their  heart  was  hot  within  them,"  and  at 
last  the  "  fire  kindled"  and  so  they  "  spake  with  their 
tongue."  If  there  be  in  the  history  of  most  nations  a 
still  earlier  period,  when  their  literature  is  more  simply 
objective,  when,  as  yet,  their  minds  are  not  vexed 
with  questions,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  second 
stage  is  the  fruit  of  a  progress  upwards,  of  thoughts 
widening  with  the  years ;  and  that,  if  there  be  a  third 
and  higher  stage  of  excellence,  it  must  be  found  in  a 
combination  of  what  was  good  in  each,  not  by  a  mere 
return,  or  effort  to  return,  to  the  first.  (2.)  They 
forget  that  many  of  the  poems  which  have  fixed  them- 
selves in  men's  hearts  and  memories — psalms,  hymns, 
d 


LIFE    OF    ^ESCHYLOS. 


battle-songs — have  been  of  the  kind  which  they  despise, 
the  utterance  of  strong  emotion  having  its  root  in  very 
definite  religious  convictions.  (3.)  It  is  true  that  even 
of  those  who  are  most  many-sided,  and  seem  most 
creedless,  that  they  preach  a  creed,  that  they  are  then 
at  their  highest  point  when  they  cease  to  bring  before 
us  the  dramatis  persona  of  their  ideal  world,  and  utter 
something  which  they  have  felt  intensely,  and  therefore 
speak  strongly.  Even  of  Goethe,  Browning,  and  Ten- 
nyson, we  may  say  that  the  words  of  theirs  which 
dwell  most  with  men,  are  those  which  bring  some  mes- 
sage to  them,  offering,  truly  or  falsely,  some  new 
apocalypse.  If  this  is  not  true  of  the  "  sovrano  poeta  " 
<rf  Greece,  it  is  because  he  lived  in  that  earliest  stage 
of  progress  when  the  problems  of  life  are  hardly  more 
felt  by  men  than  they  are  by  a  vigorous  and  healthy 
child,  when  even  the  widest  sympathy  could  only 
bring  him  into  contact  with  human  passions,  and  could 
not  draw  within  the  range  of  his  art,  materials  that  were 
then  non-existent.  And  of  Shakspeare  it  is  only  true 
in  part.  If  there  is  no  utterance  of  religious  convic- 
tion, there  is,  as  has  been  often  shown,  a  pervading 
reverence  for  the  Christian  life  of  England  in  the  form 
which  made  it  most  conspicuously  national.1  And  of 
some  poets,  whom  no  critic  will  venture  to  place  on 
the  lower  level  of  the  second  class, — of  the  unknown 
author  of  the  book  of  Job,  of  Lucretius,  and  Dante, 
and  Milton, — it  is  conspicuously  true,  that  their  belief 
is  part  of  their  poetry  ;  that  they  wrote  poems  to  give 
utterance  to  it;  that  unless  we  understand  it,  the 


(1)  Comp.  especially  Archbishop  Trench's  Ktrmnn  at  At  8tr»t/ord  Ftt- 
IfMl*  and  Bishop  Wordsworth's  SUaJun>eart  anU  tltt  Jtiiblt. 


LIFE    OF    JESCHYLOS.  II 


poems  themselves  are  as  a  dead  letter  to  us.  "Would 
those  who  bid  us  look  only  to  the  artistic  perfection  oi 
the  works  of  Sophocles  and  .^Eschylos,  regard  an  in- 
quiry into  the  teaching  of  the  book  of  Job  as  to  the 
divine  government  of  the  world,  as  beyond  the  province 
of  true  criticism  ? 

And  if  we  have  already  learnt  to  see,  as  we  have 
seen  in  the  case  of  .ZEschylos,  that  any  given  poet 
throws  himself,  with  all  the  intensity  of  his  nature, 
into  the  cause  of  one  party  against  another  in  a  great 
political  controversy,  if  that  controversy  were  inex- 
tricably blended  with  all  the  movements  of  thought, 
feeling,  taste,  that  affect  men's  inner  as  well  as  outer 
life,  then  we  may  well  believe  that  his  poetry  would  be 
pervaded  by  his  religious  convictions  also.  Even  if 
they  be  regarded  as  a  disturbing  force,  they  must  yet 
be  taken  into  account,  if  we  wish  to  understand  the 
special  excellences  and  the  special  defects  of  his  genius. 
If  authority  were  needed  for  such  an  inquiry  into  the 
theology  of  JEschylos,  it  might  be  found  in  the  copious 
and  interesting  literature  which  has  gathered  round  it.1 

What  we  have  seen  then  of  this  political  action  on 
the  part  of  JEschylos  will  help  us  to  estimate  his 
position  in  relation  to  the  religious  history  of  Greece. 
We  cannot  place  him  with  the  great  thinkers,  who, 

(1(  The  mere  tities  -would  fill  a  page.  I  name,  (1.)  as  most  accessible 
to  the  English  reader,  Miiller's  Dissertation  on  the  Etmtenides ;  the  chapters 
on  the  Greek  Dramatists  in  Bunsen's  God  in  History :  Mr.  B.  F.  West- 
cott's  masterly  article  on  "^Escliylos  as  a  Kelipious  Teacher,"  in  the 
Contemporary  Review  for  Nov.  1806;  a  paper  by  Mr.  Paley  on  "Chtho- 
nian  AVorship,"  in  the  Journal  of  Philnlngy  for  June,  1868 ;  the  section* 
bnaring  on  this  subject  in  A.  W.  Schleg-el'R  Ifistory  of  Dramatic  Literature. 
in  Grote's  and  Thiilwall's  Histories  of  Greece,  in  Miiller  and  L)onaldson'« 
Vistiiry  nf  Gr>ek  Literature  ;  and  (2.)  as  worth  consulting  by  those  who 
ha^e  the  opportunity,  Klausen's  Theolngmaena  jEsc/tyli ;  Dronke's  Dit 
rtliyinsen  und  sHUichen  Vorstellungen  de-s  jEschylns  tiud  Sup/inkles,  and 
Nagelsbach's  Kachkomerische  Thtologit  dei  Griecltischtn  yoJuaiaubent. 


til  LIFE   OP    .SSCHYLOS. 

like  Socrates  and  Plato,  recognised  the  corrupting  cha- 
racter of  much  of  the  current  mythology,  and  would 
fain  have  banished  it  from  their  polity,  who,  in  part  at 
least,  seem  to  stand  forth  as  witnesses  to  the  Divine 
unity,  whose  conformity  with  popular  worship  is  but  a 
tolerance  of  that  which  is  imperfect,  because  the  perfect 
is  not  yet  come.  His  belief  does  not  stand  on  the 
same  level  as  the  Theism  of  Anaxagoras,  or  the  Pan- 
theism or  Atheism  of  Diagoras.  When  he  speaks  of 
the  Gods,  it  is  neither  with  the  serenity  of  Sophocles, 
as  looking  to  eternal  laws  that  belong  altogether  to  a 
different  region  of  thought,  nor  with  the  ill- concealed 
Voltairian  irony  of  Euripides.  He  is  the  Calderon,  not 
the  Goethe  of  Greek  literature.  He  takes  his  thoughts 
of  the  Gods  from  Homer  and  Hesiod — from  the  latter 
even  more  than  the  former — and  (with  some  notable 
exceptions)  abides  by  them.  He  is  conservative  in 
religion  as  in  politics  ;  looks  with  real  alarm  on  the 
decay  of  reverence  in  the  demos  of  Athens  and  among 
the  young  men  of  culture  ;  would  have  sympathised, 
we  may  believe,  with  Aristophanes  in  his  attack  on 
Socrates  as  unsettling  their  minds  ;  with  Nikias  in  his 
respect  for  omens,  his  reverence  for  the  dead,  his 
shrinking  from  over-much  prosperity  ;  with  the  alarm 
and  irritation  caused  by  the  mutilation  of  the  Hermae- 
busts,  and  the  alleged  proi'anation  of  the  Mysterien  :l 
perhaps  even  with  tnose  who  condemned  the  -preacher 
of  righteousness"  who  hai  dwelt  amon£  iiurn  to  drink 
the  hemlock. 


(11  The  fact  that  he  had  been  himself  charged  with  a  lite  offrpec  TronUI 
toot  have  made  him  less  tolerant  of  an  offence,  the  animus  ot  which  waa,  Of 
btciiiud  to  him,  so  different  from  that  winch  had  actuated  him. 


LIFE    OF    jESCHYLOS.  lifi 

lie  starts  then  with  a  belief  that  the  myths  of  Greece 
represent  the  facts  of  the  Divine  history,  and  is  not 
troubled  by  questions  and  doubts  about  them.  Zeus 
reigns  supreme,  after  having  deposed  Cronos,  as  Cronos 
had  deposed  Uranos : 

"  Nor  He  who  erst  was  great, 
Full  of  the  might  to  war, 
Avails  now :  He  is  gone, 
And  He  who  next  came  hath  departed  too, 
His  victor  meeting." — Again.,  162-168. 

The  Titans  rose  against  him  in  support  of  the  old 
order,  and  he  hurled  them  down  to  Tartaros,  or  buriec1 
them  beneath  volcanoes.  The  Olympian  deities  who 
reign  under  him  with  a  limited  jurisdiction,  are  his 
sons  and  daughters.  He  governs  with  inexorable 
severity  ;  just,  but  with  little  sympathy  for  the  suffer- 
ings of  mankind.  Their  progress  towards  knowledge 
and  power  and  culture  under  the  teaching  of  Prome- 
theus is  displeasing  to  him.  He  punishes  the  "phi- 
lanthropy" of  the  more  benevolent  Titan  by  a  penalty 
that  is  to  last  for  ages.  All  this  lay,  however,  in  the 
remote  past.  In  the  age  in  which  the  Hellenes  lived 
and  acted,  the  deliverer  of  the  Titan  had  come ;  a 
vicarious  death  had  freed  him  from  his  agony  j1  there 
had  been  a  solution  of  what  seemed  harsh  and  unjust 
in  the  government  of  Zeus.  He  looked  on  man  with  a 
more  benignant  eye.  The  worshipper  could  think  of 
Him  as  po  longer  arbitrary  in  his  chastisement.  It  is 
obvious  that  this  recognition  of  a  Supreme  Ruler  over 

(1)  This  is  implied  in  the  fact  that  the  Prnmtthtus  Unbound  was  the 
third  play  of  the  trilof*y,  and  that  the  mode  of  deliverance  w;is  found  in 
the  readiness  of  Cheiroa  to  bear  the  penalty  of  itulh  in  Prometheus' 
•toad,  and  go  to  work  out  a  redemption  for  him. 


LIFE    OF    ^ESCHYLOS. 


many  Gods  might  clothe  itself  in  lofty  words,  sima« 
latmg  almost  the  language  of  a  monotheistic  creed  ; 

"  Safe,  by  no  fall  tripped-up 
The  full-  wrought  deed  decreed  by  brow  of  Zeus: 

For  dark  and  shadowed  o'er 
The  pathways  of  the  counsels  of  His  heart, 

And  difficult  to  see. 

And  from  high-towering  hopes  He  hurleth  dowm 
To  utter  doom  the  heir  of  mortal  birth  ; 

Yet  sets  He  in  array 

No  forces  violent  : 
All  that  God  works  is  effortless  and  calm  :* 

Seated  on  loftiest  throne, 

Thence,  though  we  know  not  how, 

He  works  His  perfect  will."  —  Supply  85-94. 

0»  this,  — 

"  0  King  of  kings,  and  bleit 

Above  all  blessed  ones, 
And  power  most  mighty  of  the  mightiest  ; 

O  Zeus  of  high  estate, 
Hear  this  our  prayer."  —  Ibid.,  618-521. 

Or  this,  — 

"  He  is  our  Father,  author  of  our  life, 
The  King  whose  right  hand  worketh  all  His  will, 
Our  line's  great  Author,  in  His  counsels  deep 

Recording  things  of  old, 

Directing  all  His  plans,  the  great  Work-master,  Zeua. 
For  not,  as  suppliant  sitting  at  the  beck 

Of  strength  above  his  own, 
Reigns  He  subordinate  to  mightier  powers, 

ft)  Comp.  the  recurrence  of  the  same  thought  in  the  words  of  ApoUt 
l»  fcaua.,  ver.  620— 

"  But  all  thinps  else  He  tnrneth  up  onfl  down, 
And  orders  without  toil  or  wcurrneaa." 


LIFE    OF   jESCHYLOS. 


Nor  does  He  pay  His  homage  from  below 
While  one  sits  throned  in  majesty  above : 

Act  is  for  Him  as  speech 
To  hasten  what  ilis  teeming  mind  resolves." 

— Ibid.,  684-530. 

If  Fragm.  293  be  genuine,  we  have  a  yet  clearei 

pantheistic,  if  not  monotheistic  creed: 

"  The  air  is  Zeus,  Zeus  earth,  and  Zeus  the  heaven, 
Zeus  all  that  is,  and  what  transcends  them  all." 

But  with  all  this,  the  believing  polytheist  is  still 
there.  Artemis,  Apollo,  Hera,  are  to  him  real,  not 
imaginary  beings,  each  with  a  region  of  activity  and  a 
delegated  sovereignty,  as  much  as  they  were  to  Homer. 
The  primary  meaning  of  the  myths  of  Hellas,  as  we 
explain  them,  as  symbols  of  the  changes  of  day  and 
night,  dawn  and  sunset,  has  for  him  passed  away  into 
the  dim  distance,  and  he  sees  it  not.  Attributes  have 
become  persons  ;  men's  wandering  fancies  have  crys- 
tallised and  hardened.  A  change  had  come,  however, 
over  the  religion  of  Greece  since  the  Homeric  age.  It 
is  inherent  in  the  nature  of  Polytheism  that  a  promi- 
nence is  given  to  the  worship,  now  of  this  deity,  and 
now  of  that ;  that  new  rites,  symbols,  mysteries,  con- 
fraternities, rise  up  to  meet  the  ever-restless  fears  or 
fancies  of  men's  hearts  ;  that  these  come  more  or  less 
into  collision  with  each  other.  The  story  of  the 
migration  of  Apollo  from  Delos  to  Delphi,  of  Orpheus 
and  the  mysteries  which  he  founded,  indicates  a  tran- 
sition from  the  Homeric  thought  of  the  Sun,  as  slaying 
men  with  its  arrows  of  pestilence,  to  that  of  the  Giver 
of  light,  the  Revealer  of  secrets,  the  Prophet  of  his 
father  Zeus,  (Eumen.,  v.  19.)  That  of  the  travels  of 


M  LIFE    OF   ^ESCHYLOS. 

Dionysos,  of  the  throng  of  Ma;nads  who  followed  him, 
of  the  fate  of  Pentheus,  and  of  Orpheus  himself,  indi- 
cates a  struggle  between  the  calmer  and  the  more 
•violent  cultus, — between  the  inspiration  which  issues 
in  wisdom  and  poetry,  and  that  which  shows  itself  in 
the  abdication,  by  man's  reason,  of  its  sovereignty  over 
his  brute  nature.  And  in  this  conflict,  JEschylos,  true 
to  the  influence  of  Epimenides,1  is  clearly  on  the  side 
of  the  former.  Frequent  as  are  the  appeals  to  Zeus, 
Apollo,  Athena,  it  is  noticeable  that  no  single  invo- 
cation of  Dionysos  is  found  in  the  extant  plays.  In  the 
lost  tetralogy  of  the  Lycuryeia,  which  had  the  adven- 
tures of  Dionysos  for  its  subject,  he  seems  to  have 
brought  in  the  death  of  Orpheus  as  the  servant  of 
Apollo,  a  martyr  in  the  cause  of  sun-worship.2  Whether 
in  that  stage  of  his  religious  development  the  issue  of 
the  whole  drama  was  a  reconciliation  of  the  conflicting 
powers,  like  that  which  we  see  in  the  Eumenides,  and 
must  assume  in  the  Prometheus  Unbound,  is  a  question 
•which  we  have  not  data  to  answer.  In  either  case,  the 
absence  of  the  name  of  Dionysos  from  ^Eschylos,  as 
compared  with  its  prominence  in  Sophocles  and  Euri- 
pides, is  striking  and  significant.3 

(1)  The  Cretan  prophet  is  described  bv  Epiphanius,  folio-wins?  some  old 
tradition,  as  having  been  a  priest  of  Alithras,  the  Pereiai.  analogue  ol 
Apollo. 

(2)  I    take  the  following  account  of  the  play  from  an  extract  from 
Eratosthenes,  given  by  Ahrens  in   his  dissertation  on  the  Fragment*  ol 
.aCsohylos,  (Midot.,  1842.) 

"  Biit  Orpheus  paid  no  honour  to  Dionysos,  holding  the  Sun,  -whom 
lUso  lie  called  Apollo,  to  be.  the  greatest  of  the  Gods.  And  rising  up  by 
night,  before  the  earliest  dawn,  he  was  wont  to  go  to  the  mountain  called 
Pangteos,  and  there  to  wait  for  the  Sun,  that  he  might  look  on  him  as  he 
first  ••ose.  Wherefore  Dionysos  WHS  wroth,  and  sent  the  B^ssarid  women 
against  him,"  (analogous  to  the  Maenads  and  Thyiads,  which  are  more 
familiar  names  to  us.)  "as  JEsrhylos  the  poet  Rays,  and  they  tore  him  in 
pieces,  and  cast  out  his  limbs  one  by  one.  And  the  Muses  gathered  them 
together,  and  buried  them  in  the  place  called  Lcibethra." 

(8)  Petersen,  in  an  interesting  monograph  on  Die  Delphitcke  Festeyclua, 


LIFE    OF    JKSCHYLOS.  Ivii 

WitL  the  same  tendency  in  his  choice  among  the' 
**Gods  many  and  Lords  many"  of  the  Greek  Pantheon, 
we  may  note  the  prominence  which  he  gives  to  the 
Chthonian  as  distinguished  from  the  Olympian  Gods, 
to  those  who  dwell  in  darkness  as  contrasted  with 
those  who  dwell  in  light.  He  turns  to  the  worship  of 
Demeter,  as  initiated,  it  may  be,  in  the  mysteries  which 
had  their  local  habitation  in  his  native  deme.1  He 
dwells,  with  devoutest  reverence  on  the  thought, 
(speaking  of  Hades  where  the  Chthonian  Gods  had 
their  dwelling,)  that — 

"...  There,  as  men  relate,  a  second  Zeus 
Judges  men's  evil  deeds,  and  to  the  dead 
Assigns  their  last  great  penalties." — Suppl.,  226,  227. 

Bo  in  like  tone  he  speaks  in  the  same  play  of— 

"  The  Avenger  terrible, 
God  that  destroyeth,  who  not  e'en  in  Hades 
Gives  freedom  to  the  dead." — Ibid.,  409,  410. 

The  same  feeling  leads  him  to  dwell  on  the  office  of 
Hermes  as  the  escort  of  the  souls  of  the  dead,  and  to 
introduce  the  spectres  of  the  dead,  as  in  the  Persians 


pp.  24,  25,  mges  that  in  the  inner  theology  of  Delphi,  the  contending1 
claims  had  been  reconciled  mainly  through  the  teaching  of  the  Orphic 
Confraternities,  and  that  Zeus,  Hades,  Apollo,  and  Liionysos  were  all 
recognised  for  one  and  the  self-same  Power,  manifesting  itself  in  many 
Trays.  He  refers  especially  to  the  strange  treatise  of  Plutarch,  De  El 
*vvd  Ddphns,  as  showing  that  Dionysos,  Zagreus,  Phoabos,  Apollo, 
Aidoneus,  were  all  tnanifestatioca  of  the  Divine  Unity,  of  which  that 
mystic  word  was,  as  he  interpret*  it,  the  symbol.  With  this  we  may 
oornpare  the  remarkable  verse  quoted  by  Justin  .Martyr,  (CoAurt.  ad  Grax.t 
O.  15J  ad  from  Orpheus. 

"  There  is  one  Zeus,  one  Hades,  and  one  Sun, 

One  Dionysos,  yea,  one  God  in  all." 

In  all  such  passages,  however,  there  is  the  risk  of  our  trnnsferring  to  an 
parlier  age  the  Pantheistic  specul  .it  ions  which  were  specially  chantcterijtM 
<rf  the  later  periods  of  Greek  thought. 
(1)  Comp.  note  ou  p.  xv. 


Mil  LIFE    OF    jESCHYLOS. 

and  Eumenides,  as  actors  in  his  plays.  But  above  all 
other  deities  of  darkness,  he  fastens  on  the  Erinnyes 
as  the  ministers  of  divine  vengeance,1  at  first  terrible 
and  wrathful,  seeking  nothing  less  than  the  life-blood 
of  their  victim,  in  conflict  with  Apollo  as  the  God  of 
light,  cast  out  by  Zeus,  having  no  share  in  the  banquet 
of  Olympian  Gods,  but  at  last  confining  their  work 
within  the  limits  of  what  is  required  by  the  law  of 
retribution,  or  is  enough  to  deter  others  from  crime,  or 
to  bring  the  offender  to  repentance.  In  some  sense 
they  are  older  and  more  venerable  than  Zeus  himself: 

M  This  lot  the  all-pervading  Destiny 
Hath  spun  to  hold  its  ground  for  evermore, 

That  we  should  still  attend 
On  him  on  whom  there  rests  the  guilt  of  blood 

Of  kin  shed  causelebsly." 

.  *  .  .  — Lumen.,  320-21. 

It  is  their  task  to  do  the  work  which  would  interfere 
with  the  calm  bliss  of  the  Olympian  Gods.  At  first 
their  office  seems  simply  terrible.  The  sins  of  the 
father  are  visited  on  the  children  to  the  third  and 
fourth  generation.  An  Ate  cleaves  to  the  house, 
thirsting  for  blood,  breeding  new  evils,  making  sin  at 
once  the  punishment  of  past  and  the  parent  of  future 
gin,  until  at  last  the  entail  of  curses  is  cut  off  by  the 
purification  of  one  on  whom  the  inherited  curse  has 
fallen,  and  by  the  favour  of  the  propitiated  Gods.  The 
Erinnyes  become  the  Eumenides — gentle,  benignant, 

(1)  On  this  subject  Muller's  Treatise  On  the  Eumenides  is  of  special 
interest.  The  Erinnyes  are,  as  he  interprets  them,  the  personification,  of 
the  passionate  impulses  of  righteous  wrath,  which  first  burst  out  in 
curses,  then  work  in  acts  of  vengeance,  then  are  tempered  down  into 
moral  indignation  against  Evil. 


LIFE    OF    J1CSCIIYLOS.  fix 

blessing.  Panic  terror  passes  into  the  awe  and  revo- 
rence  without  which  there  is  no  safety  for  the  individual 
or  the  state.  The  law  of  retribution  still  remains, 

"  For  unto  them  the  lot  is  given 
All  things  human  still  to  order," 

—  (Eumen.,  890,) 

but  there  is  no  longer  any  rivalry  or  antagonism  : 

"  Dread  and  mighty, 
With  the  Undying  is  Erinnys, 
And  with  Those  beneath  the  earth  too.** 

—  JZumen.f  910. 


The  .  prominence  thus  given  to  the  representatives 
and  agents  of  divine  Vengeance  shows  the  kind  of 
questions  which  lay  deepest  in  the  poet's  heart,  and 
the  answer  which  he  had  found  for  them.  Was  there 
a  righteous  government  ?  Was  the  ruler  of  Gods  and 
men  capricious  like  the  kings  of  earth  ?  Was  He 
enslaved  by  some  higher  law  of  destiny,  which  moved 
on  its  way  in  a  darkness  that  none  could  penetrate, 
and  to  which  even  He  was  subject?1  It  has  often 
been  said  that  this  was  the  theory  of  the  universe 
which  .ZEschylos  embraced,  that  the  underlying  thought 
in  all  Greek  tragedy,  and  pre-eminently  in  his,  is  that 

(1)  The  language  in  the  Promttheus,  w.  519,  530,  is  apparently  at 
variance  with  the  sovereignty  of  Zeus,  Necessity  seems  supreme  over 
Zens  himself.  He  too  cannot  est-ape  his  destiny.  What  that  destiny  is, 
the  Titan  boasts  that  he  knows,  but  will  not  utter.  On  the  other  hand. 
When  questioned 

"  Who  then  directs  Necessity's  career  t" 
His  answer  is, 

"  Fates  triple-formed,  Erinnyes  unforgettinfr." 

And  so  fer  as  we  may  think  of  this  as  not  merely  the  boast  of  deflonw 
put  into  the  lips  of  the  rebel,  but  expressing  the  poet's  own  thoughts,  wa 
we  thrown  back  upon  his  touching  as  to  the  functions  of  those  Erinnyei 
n  the  Orestei'in  trilosry,  in  which  thry  appear  as  subordinate  U).  or  at 
toast  in  harmony  with,  tbo  mind  of  Zens. 


LIFE    OF    ^ESCHYLOS. 


of  a  curse  cleaving  causelessly  to  a  given  race,  genera- 
tion after  generation,  against  which  man  struggles 
vainly,  each  effort  to  escape  only  riveting  the  chaina 
more  firmly.  If  any  explanation  is  at  hand  of  the 
dark  mystery  of  evil,  it  is  that  prosperity,  as  such, 
makes  men  obnoxious  to  the  jealous  wrath  of  the  Goda 
or  of  their  ruler. 

It  would  be  far  truer,  I  believe,  to  say  that  this  is 
precisely  the  theory  of  the  divine  government  which 
2Eschylos  lived  to  denounce  and  protest  against.  That 
it  was  one  of  the  natural  solutions  of  the  problems 
presented  by  the  strange  chances  and  changes  of  life, 
that  men  who  had  come  to  think  of  God  as  even  such 
an  one  as  themselves  might  be  led  to  accept  it,  is  clear 
enough.  It  is  the  key-note  of  the  theology  of  Hero- 
dotus.1 "  God  is  a  jealous  God,"  not  in  the  Hebrew 
sense,  as  demanding  all  man's  heart,  but  as  envious  of 
man's  success,  afraid  of  his  independence,  aiming  his 
thunderbolts  at  the  loftiest  trees  simply  because  they 
are  the  loftiest.  Against  such  a  theory  the  heart  of 
.ZEschylos  revolted.  He  craved  for  a  tluodikaa,  and 
came  forward  in  the  spirit,  one  might  almost  say,  of  an 
Alhanasius  contra  viandum,  to  attack  the  prevailing 
creed. 

"  There  lives  an  old  saw,  framed  in  ancient  days 
In  memories  of  men,  that  high  estate 
Full  grown  brings  forth  its  young,  nor  childleas  dies, 

But  that  from  good  success 
Springs  to  the  race  a  woe  insatiable. 

liut  I,  apart  from  all, 

Hold  this  my  creed,  alone  ' 
For  impious  act  it  is  that  offspring  breeds. 


(1)  Compare  Herod.  L  32  ;  iii.  40 ;  viL  10, 16, 121. 


LIFE    OF    JESCHYLOS.  Ld 

Like  to  their  parent  stock  : 
For  still  in  every  house 
That  loves  the  right,  their  fate  for  evermore 

Hath  issue  good  and  fair." — Again.,  727-737. 

If  prosperity  seemed  to  be  followed  by  disaster,  it  waa 
because  men  yielded  to  the  temptations  which  it 
brought  with  it,  and  became  wanton,  haughty,  reck- 
less. The  sequence  of  evils  might  always  be  traced  to 
the  fountain-head  of  some  sin  which  might  have  been 
avoided,  but  which,  once  committed,  went  on  with 
accelerating  force.  At  every  stage  each  evil  act  re- 
ceived its  just  recompense  of  reward,  but  that  very 
recompense  was  brought  about  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  a  fresh  transgi'ession  waiting  in  its  turn 
its  punishment.  The  woes  of  Atreus'  line,  the  curse 
that  rested  on  the  house  of  CEdipus,  the  misery  of 
Tro'ia,  are  all  referred  to  a  root-sin  which  remained 
unrepented  and  unatoned  for.  And  the  sins  which 
presented  themselves  to  the  poet's  mind  as  certain  to 
be  most  fruitful  in  these  transmitted  curses,  are  those 
which  offend  against  the  primaiy  relations  of  human 
fellowship.  Murder,  especially  when  the  blood  which 
has  been  shed  is  that  of  kindred  ;  lust,  especially  when 
it  works  regardless  of  the  obligations  that  bind  host  to 
guest,  and  guest  to  host ;  defiance  of  the  Gods,  as  seen 
in  impious  speech  or  act,  in  surrendering  suppliants  or 
plundering  temples, — these  are  the  crimes  for  which 
the  Erinnyes  come  as  avengers.  Zeus  is,  in  a  special 
sense,  the  God  of  the  stranger,  the  God  of  host  and 
guest,  the  protector  of  those  who  flee  to  him  for 
succour.  At  times  we  seem  to  be  hearing  the  very 
echoes  of  a  higher  apocalypse  of  the  truth.  JE&chylo» 


LIFE    OF    .&SCHYLOS. 


proclaims  in  Greece,  as  Ezekiel  had  done  on  the  banka 
of  Chebar,  that  "  the  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die  ;  " 
that  men  have  no  right  to  extend  the  law  of  retribution 
beyond  the  limits  of  justice,  or  to  impute  their  own 
evil  to  the  sins  of  their  ancestors,  or  to  the  irresistible 
decrees  of  God.  He  too  protests  against  the  doctrine 
that  "  the  fathers  have  eaten  sour  grapes,  and  that  the 
children's  teeth  are  set  on  edge"  (Ezek.  xviii.  2-4). 

It  was  indeed  the  defect  of  the  teaching  of  -ZEschylos 
that  it  generalised  too  hastily,  that  he  seemed  to  him- 
self to  have  discovered  the  solution  of  all  problems  in 
the  tangled  web  of  human  life.  Like  the  friends  of 
Job,  he  pressed  his  theory  of  retribution  to  the  con- 
clusion that  all  suffering  implied  guilt  ;  that  where 
prosperity  ceased  to  smile  on  men,  it  was  because  they 
had  forfeited  their  right  to  it.  It  was  characteristic  of 
Sophocles  that,  with  a  clearer  appreciation  of  the 
truth,  he  brought  into  prominence  the  fact  that  there 
are  phenomena  which  the  theory  does  not  explain, 
evils  which  seem  to  originate  altogether  in  sins  of  igno- 
rance, strange  chances  and  changes  which  the  theory 
of  Nemesis,  no  less  than  that  of  the  jealousy  of  the  Gods, 
fails  to  help  us  to  explain.  Not  losing  his  faith  in  the 
Divine  Righteousness,  maintaining  the  eternal  authority 
of  the  laws  of  Truth  and  Right,  he  is  yet  compelled  to 
confess  that  there  is  much  in  the  actual  order  of  the 
world  that  is  altogether  incomprehensible.  He  balances 
the  retributive  theory  of  2Eschylos  as  the  teaching  of 
Ecclesiastes,  or  the  closing  chapters  of  the  Book  of  Job 
itself,  balance  that  of  Eliphaz  the  Temanite. 

What  is  indicated  with  more  or  less  distinctness  in 
the  change  of  name  from  theErinnyes  to  Eumenides  ii 


LIFE    OF    .ffiSCHYLOS. 


brought  out  explicitly  as  one  of  the  great  laws  of  the 
divine  government.  The  evils  which  follow  on  guilt 
may,  rightly  accepted,  be  an  education.  In  the  discipline 
of  suffering,  in  the  "  reproof  of  life,"  in  the  vaO^p-aTa 
which  are  also  fia.6fnj.ara,  men  may  find  that  which 
raises  Ihem  out  of  recklessness,  insolence,  outrage,  to 
"self-reverence,  self-knowledge,  self-control,"  to  all  that 
the  Hebrew  meant  by  "  wisdom,"  all  that  the  Greek 
meant  by  vvfypofrvvr).  And  this  comes  of  God  : 


**  'Tis  Zeus  who  leadeth  men  in  wisdom's  way, 
And  fixeth  fast  the  law, 
That  pain  is  gain  ; 
And  slowly  dropping  on  the  heart  in  sleep 

Comes  woe-recording  care, 
And  makes  the  unwilling  yield  to  wiser  thoughts.** 

—  Again.,  170-74* 

"  Justice  turns  the  scale 
For  those  to  whom  through  pain 
At  last  comes  wisdom's  gain." 

—  Ibid.,  241. 

*  There  are  with  whom  'tis  well 
That  awe  should  still  abide 
As  watchman  o'er  their  souls  : 
Calm  wisdom  gained  by  sorrow  profits  much.** 

—  Eumen.,  491-94. 

But  with  this  recognition  of  a  moral  discipline  by 
which  men  — 

"  Slay  rise  on  stppping-stones 
Of  their  dead  selves  to  higher  tilings," 

there  is  also  a  consciousness,  dim  and  dark,  as  of  on« 
groping  after  a  truth  which  he  feels  rather  than  sees, 
that  this  is  not  enough.  Whether  the  phenomenon  be 
one  of  that  parallelism  in  religious  feeling  which  often 


LIFE    OF    jESCHYLOS. 


meets  us  in  races  that  have  had  no  contact  with  each 
other,  or  be  due  to  the  influence  of  Semitic  thought 
passing  from  Phoenikia  to  the  "  isles  of  Chittim,"  and 
so  through  Epinienides  to  Greece,  we  need  not  now 
discuss.  It  is  enough  to  note  the  fact  that  in  the 
theology  of  JEschylos,  as  in  the  ritual  which  tha 
Cretan  prophet  had  introduced,  and  which  was  propa- 
gated by  the  Orphic  and  other  mystic  brotherhoods, 
the  sufferer  who  groans  under  the  burden  of  guilt 
needs,  over  and  aoove  the  discipline  of  suffering  and  a 
life  ruled  by  law,  purification  and  atonement  ;  that  the 
purification  must  be  wrought  by  blood  poured  or 
sprinkled  on  the  man  who  sought  it  ;  that  he  needs 
the  mediation  of  another  in  order.  that  the  purification 
may  be  accomplished  ;  that  to  render  this  office  is  the 
greatest  kindness  which  friend  can  show  to  friend,  or 
host  to  suppliant  guest  ;  that  when  this  is  done  be 
may  once  more  draw  near,  "  with  contrite  heart," 
"  harmless  and  pure,"  to  the  temples  of  the  Gods. 

One  who  took  this  belief  of  the  world's  history  as 
manifesting  God's  righteous  judgment  —  a  belief  every 
way  analogous  to  that  which  is  dominant  in  the  Old 
Testament  —  would  not  be  likely  to  look  forward  to  a 
life  after  death  as  redressing  the  anomalies  of  the 
present,  or  compensating  for  its  imperfections.  But 
the  consciousness  of  immortality  was  as  strong  in  him 
as  in  the  Hellenic  race  generally  ;  stronger,  it  may  be, 
than  it  was  among  the  great  body  of  the  Jews.  And 
with  this  conviction  he  can  but  look  forward  to  that 
future  as  continuing  and  completing  the  retribution. 
There,  in  that  other  world,  sits  the  "  second  Zous," 
arbo  awards  to  each  man's  deeds  their  final  doom, 


LIFE    OF   .ffiSCHYLOS.  Izt 

(Suppl.  v.  227.)  There  the  kings  and  the  great  onei 
of  the  earth  still  retain  something  of  their  old  preroga- 
tives. Still  they  hold  some  fellowship  with  the  living, 
feel  shame  and  ignominy  when  funeral  honours  are 
refused  to  them,  can  pass  out  of  Hades  where  they 
dwell,  to  haunt  and  vex  those  who  have  wronged 
them,  (as  in  the  case  of  Clytaemnestra,)  or  be  sum- 
moned by  prayers  and  incantations  (as  are  Agamemnon 
and  Dareios)  to  help  those  whom  they  have  loved-. 

And  there,  too,  in  that  world  of  the  dead,  are  the 
Erinnyes  still  carrying  on  their  appointed  task.  There 
is  no  sleep  of  death  for  the  doer  of  evil.  They  are — 

**  A  terror  of  the  living  and  the  dead." — Eumen.,  312. 
"Death  sets  not  free  from  their  attacks." — Ibid.,  322. 

"  With  the  Undying  is  Erinnys, 
And  with  Those  beneath  the  earth  too ; 
And  full  clearly  and  completely 
Work  they  all  things  out  for  mortal*, 
Giving  these  the  songs  of  gladness, 
Those  a  life  bedimmed  with  weeping." 

— Ibid.,  910-15. 

Does  the  law  of  continuity  hold  good  there  also  ? 
Were  the  Erinnyes,  as  they  did  their  work  in  the 
world  of  the  dead,  recognised  even  there  as  the 
Eumenides  ?  Is  the  connexion  between  suffering  and 
education,  between  "  pain  "  and  "  gain,"  projected 
into  that  other  life  ?  These  questions  lay  then,  as 
they  lie  now,  behind  the  veil,  shrouded  in  a  mist  and 
darkness  which  men  seek  in  vain  to  penetrate.  It  may 
be  that  .ffischylos  felt  that  it  would  be  ill  to  lose  either 
the  vague  terror  or  the  wider  hope.  To  them  he  givei 
no  answer. 


Uvi  LIFE    OF    JESCHYLOS. 

There  remains  yet  one  other  of  the  problems  of  tha 
world's  history  on  which  it  is  interesting  to  note  what 
we  find  in  the  teaching  of  -ZEschylos.  We  ask  the 
"whence?"  as  well  as  the  "  whither  ?"  of  the  human 
race.  How  has  it  come  to  be  as  it  is  ?  Has  it  fallen 
from  some  paradise  state,  some  Golden  Age,  each 
generation  becoming  feebler  and  more  corrupt  than  its 
predecetsors,  or  made  its  way  onwards,  through  a  long 
succession  of  ages,  to  its  present  culture,  giving  in 
that  progress  the  pledge  of  yet  further  advancement  ? 
The  former  was  the  dominant  idea  in  Greek  legend.  It 
was  adopted  by  Hesiod  (  Works  and  Days,  vv.  106-171,) 
it  took  form  in  the  mytlios  of  Pandora,  from  whose 
fatal  gifts  all  man's  ills  had  come.  But  here,  as  in  his 
theory  of  the  divine  law  of  retribution,  .ZEschylos  seems 
to  strike  out  a  new  path  for  himself,  and  to  anticipate, 
by  a  bold  conjecture,  conclusions  that  have  been 
arrived  at  slowly,  and  after  a  long  induction,  by 
modern  paleontologists : — 

"  Like  forms 

Of  phantom-dreams,  through  all  their  length  of  life, 
They  muddled  all  at  random  ;  did  not  know 
Houses  of  brick  that  catch  the  sunlight's  warmth^ 
Is  or  yet  the  work  of  carpentry.     They  dwelt 
In  hollowed  holes  like  swarms  of  tiny  ants, 
In  sunless  depths  of  cavern ;  and  they  had 
No  certain  signs  of  winter,  nor  of  spring 
Flower-laden,  nor  of  summer  with  her  fruits ; 
But  without  counsel  fared  their  whole  life  long." 

—Prom.,  465-4G5. 

It  may  be  questioned  whether  Sir  Charles  Lyell  or 
Sir  John  Lubbock  could  have  given  a  better  picture  of 
the  state  of  mankind  in  the  so-called  "atone-  period." 


LIFE   OF    .(ESCHYLOS. 


And  out  of  this  they  were  raised  by  Prometheus,  as 
the  representative  of  a  divine  Wisdom  sympathising 
with  man's  infirmities,  becoming  tha  "  light  that 
lighteth  every  man,"  at  first  in  seeming  antagonism  to 
the  Ruler  of  Heaven,  but  at  last  brought  into  entire 
harmony  with  that  Supreme  Will.  The  gift  of  fire 
came,  and  with  it  new  capacities  and  new  thoughts,  a 
strange  mastery  over  brute  creatures  and  the  brute 
elements  of  nature,  like  that  on  which  Sophocles 
dwells  in  the  memorable  chorus  of  the  Antigone  — 

"Many  the  things  that  strange  and  wondrous  are, 
None  stranger  and  more  wonderful  than  u.an." 

—  Antiy.,  v.  332. 

In  representing  this  as  bringing  down  the  wrath 
of  Zeus  on  the  beneficent  Titan,  .ZEschylos  did  but 
unconsciously  embody  on  the  one  hand  the  law  of 
sacrifice,  which  has  made  all  the  great  benefactors  and 
teachers  of  mankind  achieve  their  task,  and  win  their 
victory,  through  suffering  ;  and  on  the  other,  the  truth, 
that  the  first  result  of  the  possession  and  the  con- 
sciousness of  enlarged  powers  is  a  new  self-assertion, 
the  spirit  of  independence  and  rebellion  against  the 
control  of  a  divine  order,  the  "  many  inventions  "  that 
tend  to  evil,  an  outburst  of  impiety  and  lawlessness, 
needing  the  discipline  of  punishment  before  it  can  bo 
brought  round  again  into  a  nobler  harmony.  Men 
"  become  as  Gods,"  and  "  then*  eyes  are  opened  to 
discern  good  and  evil,"  but  it  is  to  "  know  that  they 
are  naked,"  and  to  "  eat  bread  in  the  sweat  of  their 
brow."  During  this  process  the  government  under 
•which  men  live  appears  stern,  arbitrary,  tyrannical. 


kviii  LIFE    OF    ^SCHYLOS. 

The  eagle's  fangs  rend  the  heart  of  the  hero  Titan  who 
represents  the  intellect  of  mankind  as  a  race,  the  mind 
that  belongs  to  all,  in  its  defiant  self-assertion.  The 
struggle  and  the  agony  must  last  till  Cheiron  comes  of 
his  own  free  will  to  bear  the  pains  of  death,  and  so 
deliver  him. 

With  this,  as  being,  as  all  thinkers  have  felt,  among 
the  noblest  of  the  "  unconscious  prophecies  of  heathen- 
dom," among  the  profoundest  anticipations  of  an 
eternal  truth,  in  the  form  of  a  mythos,  of  which  the 
writer  felt  rather  than  discerned  the  meaning,  I  close 
this  present  essay.  Far  as  it  has  been  from  an  ex- 
haustive treatment  of  a  subject  which  might  well  claim 
a  volume  to  itself,  it  may  yet  revive,  I  trust,  in  those 
who  know  .2Eschylos  already,  some  recollections  of 
what  most  interested  them  as  they  read,  and  answer 
some  questions  which  that  perusal  raised ;  and  help 
those  who  enter  on  the  study  of  his  dramas  for  the 
first  time,  to  do  so  with  a  better  prospect  of  under- 
standing and  appreciating  him. 


THE   PERSIANS 


ARGUMENT. 

When  Xerxes  came  to  the  throne  of  Persia,  remembering  how  kit 
father  Dareios  had  sought  to  subdue  tJie  land  of  tJie  Hellenes, 
and  seeking  to  avenge  the  defeat  of  Datis  and  Artaphernes  on 
the  field  of  Marathon,  },e  gathered  together  a  mighty  host  of  all 
nations  under  his  dominion,  and  led  them  against  Hellas. 
And  at  first  fie  prospered  and  prevailed,  crossed  thtt  Hellespont, 
and  defeated  the  Spartans  at  Thermopylae,  and  took  the  city  of 
Athens,  from  which  the  greater  part  of  its  citizens  had  fled. 
But  at  last  he  and  his  armament  met  with  utter  overthrow  at 
Salamis.  Meawehile  Atossa,  the  mother  of  Xerxes,  with  her 
handmaids  and  the  elders  of  the  Persians,  waited  anxiously  a,t 
Susa,  wliere  woj  the  palace  of  t/te  great  king,  for  tidings  of  her 


yote.—  Within  two  years  after  the  battle  of  Salamis,  the  feeling1  of 
national  exultation  was  met  by  Phrynichos  in  a  tragedy  bearing  the  title 
of  The  Pkoe.nikians,  and  having  for  its  subject  the  defeat  of  Xerxes.  As 
he  had  come  under  the  displeasure  of  the  Athenian  dr.mot  for  having 
brought  on  the  stage  the  sufferings  of  their  Ionian  kinsmen  in  his  Cap- 
ture of  Mttetos,  he  was  apparently  anxious  to  regain  his  popularity  by  a 
'  sensation '  drama  of  another  kind ;  and  his  success  seems  to  have 
prompted  JEschylos  to  a  like  attempt  live  years  later,  B.C.  473.  The 
Tetralogy  to  which  the  play  belonged,  and  which  gained  the  first  prize  on 
its  representation,  included  the  two  tragedies  (unconnected  in  subject) 
of  Phineut  and  GUiucos,  nnd  the  satiric  drama  of  Promrtkeus  the.  f'irestealer. 

The  play  has,  therefort,  the  interest  of  being  strictly  a  contemporary 
narrative  of  the  battle  of  Salamis  and  its  immediate  consequences,  by  one 
who  may  himself  have  been  present  at  it,  and  whose  brother  Ameinias 
(Herod,  viii  H3)  had  distinguished  himself  in  it  by  a  special  act  of  heroism. 
As  such,  making  all  allowance  for  the  influence  of  dramatic  exigencies, 
and  the  tendency  to  colour  history  so  as  to  meet  the  tastes  of  putriotie 
Athenians,  it  may  claim,  where  it  differs  from  the  story  told  by  lierodo- 
tos,  to  be  a  more  trustworthy  record.  And  it  has,  we  must  remember, 
the  interest  of  beirg  the  only  extant  drama  of  its  class,  the  eiily  tragedy 
the  subject  of  which  is  not  taken  from  the  cycle  of  heroic  myths,  but 
from  the  national  history  of  the  time.  Far  below  ths  Oresteian  Trilogy, 
as  it  may  seem  to  us,  as  a  work  of  art,  having  more  the  character  of  a 
spectacle  than  a  poem,  it  was,  we  may  well  believe,  unusually  successful 
at  the  time,  and  it  is  said  to  have  been  chosen  by  Iliero  for  reproduction 
at  Syracuse  after  Jischylos  bad  settled  there  under  bis  patronage. 


ATOSSA. 

Messenger. 

Ghost  o 

XERXES. 

Ohorus  of  Persian  Elders. 


THE  PERSIANS. 


SCENE. — Susa,  in  front  of  the  palace  of 'XERXES,  the  Toml 
f>f  DAREIOS  occupying  the  position  of  the  thymele. 

Enter  Chorus  of  Persian  Elders. 

We  the  title  bear  of  Faithful,  l 
.       Friends  of  Persians  gone  to  Hellas, 

"Watchers  left  of  treasure  city,* 
.    Gold-abounding,  whom,  as  oldest, 
Xerxes  hath  himself  appointed, 
He,  the  offspring  of  Dareios, 
As  the  warders  of  his  country. 
And  about  our  king's  returning, 
And  our  army's,  gold-abounding, 
Over-much,  and  boding  evil, 
Does  my  mind  within  me  shudder  " 

(For  our  whole  force,  Asia's  offspring, 
Now  is  gone),  and  for  our  young  chief 
Sorely  frets :  nor  courier  cometh, 
Nor  any  horseman,  bringing  tidings 
To  the  city  of  the  Persians. 
From  Ecbatana  departing, 
Susa,  or  the  Kissian  fortress,' 

(1)  "  The  Faithful,"  or  "  trusty,"  seems  to  have  been  a  special  title  of 
honour  given  to  the  veteran  councillors  of  the  king,  (Xenoph.  Anab.  L 
15),  just  as  that  of  the  "Immortals"  was  chosen  for  his  body-guard. 
(Herod,  vii.  83.) 

(2)  Susa  was  pre-eminently  the  treasury  of  the  Persian  kings  (Herod. 
V.  49  ;  Strabo,  xv.  p.  731),  their  favourite  residence  in  spring,  as  Ecbatana 
in  Media  was  in  summer  and  Babylon  in  winter. 

(3)  Kissia  was  properly  the  name  of  the  district  in  which  Susa  stood ; 
but  here,  and  in  v.  123,  it  is  treated  as  if  it  belonged  to  a  separate  city. 
Throughout  the  play  there  is,  indeed,  a  lavish  use  of  Persian  barbaric 
names  of  persons  and  places,  without  a  very  minute  regard  to  historical 
•ccura;y. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


Forth  they  sped  upon  their  journey, 

Some  in  ships,  and  some  on  horses, 

Some  on  foot,  still  onward  marching, 

In  their  close  array  presenting 

Squadrons  duly  armed  for  battle :  ** 

Then  Amistres,  Artaphernes, 

Megabazes,  and  Astaspes, 

Mighty  leaders  of  the  Persians, 

Kings,  and  of  the  great  King  servants,1 

March,  the  chiefs  of  mighty  army. 

Archers  they  and  mounted  horsemen. 

Dread  to  look  on,  fierce  in  battle, 

Artembares  proud,  on  horseback, 

And  Masistres,  and  Iinseos,  * 

Archer  famed,  and  Pharandakes, 

And  the  charioteer  Sosthanes. 

Neilos  mighty  and  prolific 

Sent  forth  others,  Susikanes, 

Pegastagon,  Egypt's  offspring, 

And  the  chief  of  sacred  Memphis ; 

Great  Arsames,  Ariomardos, 

Ruler  of  primeval  Thebae, 

And  the  marshmen,2  and  the  rowers, 

Dread,  and  in  their  number  countless.  *° 

And  there  follow  crowds  of  Lydians, 

Very  delicate  and  stately,3 

(1)  Here,  aa  in  Herodotos  and  Greek  writers  generally,  the  title,  "  the 
Kin;?,"  or  "  the  great  King,"  was  enough.     It  could  be  understood  only 
of  the  Persian.    The  latter  name  had  been  borne  by  the  kings  of  Assyria. 
(2  Kings  xviii.  28.)     A  little  later  it  passed  into  the  fuller,  more  boastful 
form  of  "  the  King  of  kings." 

(2)  The  inhabitants  of  the  Delta  of  the  Nile,  especially  those  of  the 
marshy  districts  near  the  Heracleotic  month,  were  famed  as  supplying 
the  best  and  bravest  soldiers  of  any  part  of  Egypt- — Comp.  Thucyd.  £ 
110. 

(3)  The  epithet  was  applied  probably  by  ^sohylos  to  the  Lydians  pro- 
perly so  called,  the  barbaric  race  with  whom  the  Hellenes  had  little  or 
nothing  in  common.    They,  in  dress,  diet,  mode  of  life,  their  distaste  for 
the  contests  of  the  arena,  seemed  to  *he  Greeks  thf-  very  type  of  effemi- 
nacy.     The    Ionian  Greeks,   howvtr,  were   brought   under    the    same 
influence,  and  gradually  acquired  the  same  character.     The  suppression 
of  the  name  of  the  lonians  in  the  list  of  the  Persian  forces  may  be  noticed 
as  characteristic.  The  Athenian  poet  would  not  bring  before  an  Athenian 
Audience  ths  slmine  of  their  Asiat 


THE    PERSIANS. 


Who  the  people  of  the  mainland 

Eulo  throughout, — whom  Mitragathes 

And  brave  Arkteus,  kingly  chieftains, 

Led,  from  Sardis,  gold-abounding, 

Hiding  on  their  many  chariots, 

Three  or  four  a-breast  their  horsea, 

Sight  to  look  upon  all  dreadful. 

And  the  men  of  sacred  Tmolos l 

Rush  to  place  the  yoke  of  bondage 

On  the  neck  of  conquered  Hellas.  * 

Mardon,  Tharabis,  spear-anvils,2 

And  the  Mysians,  javelin -darting;* 

Babylon  too,  gold-abounding, 

Sends  a  mingled  cloud,  swept  onward, 

Both  the  troops  who  man  the  vessels, 

And  the  skilled  and  trustful  bowmen ; 

And  the  race  the  sword  that  beareth, 

Follows  from  each  clime  of  Asia, 

At  the  great  King's  dread  commandment. 

These,  the  bloom  of  Persia's  greatness, 

Now  are  gone  forth  to  the  battle ; 

And  for  these,  their  mother  country, 

Asia,  mourns  with  mighty  yearning ; 

Wives  and  mothers  faint  with  trembling 

Through  the  hours  that  slowly  linger, 

Counting  each  day  as  it  passes. 

STHOPH.  L 

The  king's  great  host,  destroying  cities  mighty, 
Hath  to  the  land  beyond  the  sea  passed  over, 
Crossing  the  straits  of  Athamantid  Helle,4  * 

On  raft  by  ropes  secured,. 

!1)  Tmolos,  sacred  as  being  the  mythical  birth-place  of  Dionysos. 
2)  "  Spear-anvils,"  ac.,  meeting  the  spear  of  their  foes  as  the  anvils 
Would  meet  it,  turning  its  point,  themselves  steadfast  and  immovable. 

(3)  So  Herodotos  (vii.  74)  in  his  account  of  the  army  of  Xerxes  de- 
scribes the  Mysians  as  using  for  their  weapons  those  darts  or  "javelins" 
made  by  hardening  thfe  ends  in  the  fire. 

(4)  Helle  the  daughter  of  Athamas,  from  whom  the  Hellespont  took  its 
name.    For  the  description  oi  the  pontoons  formed  by  boats,  which  wer« 
moored  together  with  cables  and  finally  covered  with  faggote,  cum  p. 
Herod,  vii.  36. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


And  thrown- his  path,  compact  of  many  a  vessel, 
As  yoke  upon  the  neck  of  mighty  ocean. 

ANTISTBOPH.  I. 

Of  populous  Asia  thus  the  mighty  ruler 
'Gainst  all  the  land  his  God-sent  host  directeth 
In  two  divisions,  both  by  land  and  water, 

Trusting  the  chieftains  stern, 
The  men  who  drive  the  host  to  fight,  relentless — 
He,  sprung  from  gold-born  race,  a  hero  god-like.1          " 

STBOPH.  II. 
Glancing  with  darkling  look,  and  eyes  as  of  ravening 

dragon, 
With  many  a  hand,  and  many  a  ship,  and  Syrian  chariot 

driving,2 
He  upon  spearmen  renowned  brings  battle  of  conquering 

arrows.3 

ASTISTBOPR.  II. 

Yea,  there  is  none  so  triod  as,  withstanding  the  flood  of 
the  mighty, 

To  keep  within  steadfast  bounds  that  wave  of  ocean  re- 
sistless ; 

Hard  to  fight  is  the  host  of  the  Persians,  the  people  stout- 
hearted. 

MKSODK. 

Yet  ah !   what  mortal  can  ward  the  craft  of  the  God 
all-deceiving  ? 

*  Who,  with  a  nimble  foot,  of  one  leap  is  easily  sovereign  Y 

(1)  "  Gold-born,"  te.,  descended  from  Perseus,  the  child  of  Dana§. 

(<J)  Syrian,  either  in  the  vague  sense  in  which  it  became  almost  syno- 
nymous with  Assyrian,  or  else  showing  that  Syria,  properly  so  culled, 
retained  the  fame  for  chariots  which  it  had  had  at  a  period  as  early  aa 
the  time  of  the  Hebrew  Judges,  (Judg.  y.  3.)  Herodotos  (vii.  140)  gives 
an  Oracle  of  Delphi  in  whicli  ths  same  epithet  appears. 

(3)  The  description,  though  put  into  the  mouth  of  Persians,  is  meant 
to  flatter  Hellenic  pride.  The  Persians  and  their  army  were  for  the  most 
part  light-armed  troops  only,  barbarians  equipped  with  javelins  or  bows. 
In  the  sculptures  of  fersepolis,  as  in  those  of  Nineveh  and  Khorsabad, 
this  mode  of  warfare  is  throughout  the  most  conspicuous.  They,  the 
Hellenes,  were  the  hoplites,  warriors  of  the  spear  and  the  shield,  the 
cuirass  and  the  greaves. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


For  Ate",  fawning  and  kind,  at  first  a  mortal  be- 
traying, ** 
Then  in  snares  and  meshes  decoys  him, 

Whence  one  who  is  but  man  in  vain  doth,  struggle  to 
'scape  from. 

STKOPH.  TTT. 

For  Fate  of  old,  by  the  high  Gods'  decree, 
Prevailed,  and  on  the  Persians  laid  this  task, 

Wars  with  the  crash  of  towers, 
And  set  the  surge  of  horsemen  in  array, 
And  the  fierce  sack  that  lays  a  city  low.  *** 

ASTISTBOPH.  ITT. 

But  now  they  learnt  to  look  on  ocean  plains,1 
The  wide  sea  hoary  with  the  -violent  blast, 

Waxing  o'er  confident 
In  cables  formed  of  many  a  slender  strand, 
And  rare  device  of  transport  for  the  host. 

STBOPH.  IV. 

So  now  my  soul  is  torn, 
As  clad  in  mourning,  in  its  sore  affright, 
Ah  m«? !  ah  me !  for  all  the  Persian  host  I  " 

Lest  soon  our  country  learn 
That  Susa's  mighty  fort  is  void  of  men. 

ASTISTBOPH.  IV. 

And  through  the  Kissians'  town 
Shall  echo  heavy  thud  of  hands  on  breast. 
Woe !  woe !  when  all  the  crowd  of  women  speak 

This  utterance  of  great  grief, 
And  byssine  robes  are  rent  m  agony. 

STBOPH.  V. 

For  all  the  horses  strong, 
And  Lost  that  march  on  foot, 

(1)  A  touch  of  Athenian  exultation  in  their  life  as  seamen.  To  them 
the  sea  was  almost  a  home.  Theywere  familiar  with  :l from  childhood. 
To  the  Persians  it  was  new  and  untried.  They  had  a  new  lesson  to 
learn,  late  iu  the  history  of  the  nation,  late  in  the  lives  of  individual 
•uldiers. 


IO  THE    PERSIANS. 


Like  swarm  of  bees,  have  gone  with,  him  who  led  "• 

The  vanguard  of  the  host. 

Crossing  the  sea-washed,  bridge-built  promontory 
That  joins  the  shores  of  either  continent.1 

AimsTEOpn.  V. 

And  beds  with  tears  are  wet 

In  grief  for  husbands  gone, 
And  Persian  wives  are  delicate  in  grief, 

Each  yearning  for  her  lord ; 

And  each  who  sent  her  warrior- spouse  to  battle  ll8 

Now  mourns  at  home  in  dreary  solitude. 

But  come,  ye  Persians  now, 
And  sitting  in  this  ancient  hall  of  ours, 
Let  us  take  thought  deep-counselling  and  wise, 

(Sore  need  is  there  of  that,) 
How  fareth  now  the  great  king  Xerxes,  he 

"Who  calls  Dareios  sire, 
Bearing  the  name  our  father  bore  of  old  ? 
Is  it  the  archer's  bow  that  wins  the  day? 

Or  does  the  strength  prevail  "• 

Of  iron  point  that  heads  the  spear's  strong  shaft  P 
But  lo  !  in  glory  like  the  face  of  gods, 
The  mother  of  my  king,  my  queen,  appears : 
Let  us  do  reverent  homage  at  her  feet ; 

Tea,  it  is  meet  that  all 
Should  speak  to  her  with  words  of  greeting  kind. 

Enter  ATOSSA.  in  a  chariot  of  state. 

Chor.  O  sovereign  queen  of  Persian  wives  deep-zoned, 
Mother  of  Xerxes,  reverend  in  thine  age, 

Wife  of  Dareios  !  hail ! 
'Twas  thine  to  join  in  wedlock  with  a  spouse 

Whom  Persians  owned  as  God,* 

(1)  The  bridge  of  boats,  •with   the  embankment  raised  tipon  it,  fa 
thought  of  as  a  new  headland  putting  out  from  the  one  shore  and  reach- 
ing to  the  other. 

(2)  Stress  is  laid  by  the  Hellenic  poet,  as  in  the  Agamemnon,  (v.  895,) 
and  in  v.  707  of  this  May,  on  the  tendency  of  the  East  to  give  to  its  kings 
the  &Aiuee  and  the  signs  of  homage  which  were  due  only  to  the  Uoda. 


THE   PERSIANS.  II 


And  of  a  God  thou  art  the  mother  too, 
Unless  its  ancient  Fortune  fails  our  host. 

Atoss.    Yes,    thus  I  come,    our   gold-decked    palace 

leaving, 

The  bridal  bower  Dareios  with  me  slept  in. 
Care  gnaws  my  heart,  but  now  I  tell  you  plainly 
A  tale,  my  friends,  which  may  not  leave  me  fearless, 
Lest  boastful  wealth  should  stumble  at  the  threshold, 
And  with  his  foot  o'erturn  the  prosperous  fortune 
That  great  Dareios  raised  with  Heaven's  high  blessing. 
And  twofold  care  untold  my  bosom  haunteth : 
We  may  not  honour  wealth  that  has  no  warriors, 
Nor  on  the  poor  shines  light  to  strength  proportioned ; 
Wealth  without  stint  we  have,   yet   for   our    eye   we 
tremble ;  "° 

For  as  the  eye  of  home  I  deem  a  master's  presence. 
Wherefore,  ye  Persians,  aid  me  now  in  counsel; 
Trusty  and  old,  in  you  lies  hope  of  wisdom. 

C'fwr.  Queen  of  our  land !   be  sure  thou  need'st  not 

utter 

Or  thing  or  word  twice  o'er,  which  power  may  point  to ; 
Thou  bid'st  us  counsel  give  who  fain  would  serve  thee. 

Atoss.  Ever  with  many  visions  of  the  night l 
Am  I  encompassed,  since  my  son  went  forth, 
Leading  a  mighty  host,  with  aim  to  sack 
The  land  of  the  lonians.     But  ne'er  yet 
Have  I  beheld  a  dream  so  manifest 
As  in  the  night  just  past.     And  this  I'll  tell  thee : 
There  stood  by  me  two  women  in  fair  robes ; 
And  this  in  Persian  garments  was  arrayed, 
And  that  in  Dorian  came  before  mine  eyes ; 
In  stature  both  of  tallest,  corneliest  size  ; 
And  both  of  faultless  beauty,  sisters  twain 


The  Hellenes  might  deify  a  dead  hero,  but  not  a  living  sovereign.  On 
different  grounds  the  Jews  shnink,  as  in  the  stories  of  Nebuchadnezzar 
and  Dareios,  (Dan.  iii.  6,)  from  all  such  acts. 

(1)  In  the  Greek,  as  in  the  translation,  there  is  a  change  of  metre,  in- 
tended apparently  to  represent  the  transition  from  the  tone  of  eagei 
•xcitem'.-ut  to  the  ordinary  level  of  discourse. 


It  THE    PERSIANS. 


Of  the  same  stock.1    And  they  twain  had  their  homes, 

One  in  the  Hellenic,  one  in  alien  land. 

And  these  two,  as  I  dreamt  I  saw,  were  set  **> 

At  variance  with  each  other.     And  my  son 

Learnt  it,  and  checked  and  mollified  their  wrath, 

And  yokes  them  to  his  chariots,  and  his  collar 

He  places  on  their  necks.     And  one  was  proud 

Of  that  equipment,2  and  in  harness  gave 

Her  mouth  obedient ;  but  the  other  kicked, 

And  tears  the  chariot's  trappings  with  her  hands, 

And  rushes  off  uncurbed,  and  breaks  its  yoke 

Asunder.     And  my  son  falls  low,  and  then 

His  father  comes,  Dareios,  pitying  him. 

And  lo !  when  Xerxes  sees  him,  he  his  clothes  "^ 

Rends  round  his  limbs.     These  things  I  say  I  saw 

In  visions  of  the  night ;  and  when  I  rose, 

And  dipped  my  hands  in  fountain  flowing  clear,8 

I  at  the  altar  stood  with  hand  that  bore 

Sweet  incense,  wishing  holy  chrism  to  pour 

To  the  averting  Gods  whom  thus  men  worship. 

And  I  beheld  an  eagle  in  full  flight 

To  Phoebos'  altar-hearth ;  and  then,  my  friends,  M0 

I  stood,  struck  dumb  with  fear ;  and  next  I  saw 

A  kite  pursuing,  in  her  winged  course, 

And  with  his  claws  tearing  the  eagle's  head, 

Which  did  nought  else  but  crouch  and  yield  itself. 

Such  terrors  it  has  been  my  lot  to  see, 

And  yours  to  hear :  For  be  ye  sure,  my  son, 

If  he  succeed,  will  wonder-worthy  prove ; 

(1)  "With  reference  either  to  the  mythos  that  Asia  and  Europa  were  both 
daughters  of  Okeanos,  or  to  the  historical  fact  that  the  Asiatic  Ionian* 
and  the  Dorians  of  Europe  •were  hoth  of  the  same  Hellenic  stock.   The  con- 
trast between  the  long  flowing  robes  of  the  Asiatic  women,  and  the  short, 
scanty  kilt-like  dress  of  those  of  Sparta  must  be  borne  in  mind  if  we 
would  see  the  picture  in  its  completeness. 

(2)  Athenian  pride  is  flattered  with  the  thought' that  they  had  resisted 
while  the  Ionian  Greeks  had  submitted  all  too  willingly  to  the  yoke  of  the 
Barbarian. 

(3)  Lustrations  of  this  kind,    besides  their  genond    significance    in 
cleansing  from  defilement,  hiid  a  special  force  as  charms  to  turn  asida 
dangers  threatened  by  foreboding  dreams.— Couip.  Aristopu.  Vrogt,  f . 
U04;  1'ersius,  Sat.  ii.  1& 


THE    PERSIANS.  IJ 


But  if  he  fail,  still  irresponsible 

He  to  the  people,  and  in  either  case, 

He,  should  he  but  return,  is  sovereign  still.1 

Chor,  We  neither  wish,  O  Lady,  thee  to  frighten 
O'ermuch  with  what  we  say,  nor  yet  encourage : 
But  thou,  the  Gods  adoring  with  entreaties, 
If  thou  hast  seen  aught  ill,  bid  them  avert  it, 
And  that  all  good  things  may  receive  fulfilment 
For  thee,  thy  children,  and  thy  friends  and  country.     ** 
And  next  'tis  meet  libations  due  to  offer 
To  Earth  and  to  the  dead.    And  ask  thy  husband, 
Dareios,  whom  thou  say'st  by  night  thou  sawest, 
With  kindly  mood  from  'neath  the  Earth  to  send  thee 
Good  things  to  light  for  thee  and  for  thine  offspring, 
While  adverse  things  shall  fade  away  in  darkness. 
Such  things  do  I,  a  self-taught  seer,  advise  thee 
Iii  kindly  mood,  and  any  way  we  reckon 
That  good  will  come  to  thee  from  out  these  omens. 

Atoss.  Well,    with    kind    heart,   hast    thou,    as  first 

expounder, 

Out  of  my  dreams  brought  out  a  welcome  meaning 
For  me,  and  for  my  sons ;  and  thy  good  wishes, 
May  they  receive  fulfilment  I     And  this  also, 
As  thou  dost  bid,  we  to  the  Gods  will  offer  "• 

And  to  our  friends  below,  when  we  go  homeward. 
But  first,  my  friends,  I  wish  to  hear  of  Athens, 
Where  in  the  world  do  men  report  it  standeth  ?* 

Chor.  Far  to  the  West,  where  sets  our  king  the  Sun-God. 

A  toss.  Was  it  this  city  my  son  wished  to  capture  ? 

Chor.  Aye,  then  would  Hellas  to  our  king  be  subject. 

A  toss.  And  have  they  any  multitude  of  soldiers  ? 

Vhor.  A  mighty  host,  that  wrought  the  Medes  much 
mischief. 

(1)  The  political  bearing  of  the  passage  as  contrasting  this  characteristic 
of  the  despotism  of  Persia  with  the  strict  account  to  which  all  Athenian 
generals  were  subject,  is,  of  course,  unmistakable. 

(2)  The  question,  which  seems  to  have  rankled  in  the  minds  of  the 
Athenians,  is  recorded  as  an  historical  fact,  and  put  into  the  mouth  of 
Dareios  by  Herodotos,  (v.  101.)    He  had  asked  it  on  hearing  that  Sardii 
had  been  attacked  and  burnt  by  them. 


THE   PERSIANS. 


Atoss.  And  what  besides  P     Have  they  too    -wealth 
sufficing  ? 

Chor.  A  fount  of  silver  have  they,  their  land's  trea- 
sure.1 9M 

Atoss,  Have  they  a  host  in  archers'  skill  excelling  ? 

Chor.   Not  so,  they  wield  the  spear  and  shield  and 
bucklers." 

Atosa.   "What  shepherd  rules  and   lords  it  o'er  their 
people  ? 

Chor.  Of  no  man  are  they  called  the  slaves  or  subjects. 

Atoss.  How  then  can  they  sustain  a  foe  invading  ? 

Chor.  So  that  they  spoiled  Dareios'  goodly  army. 

Atoss.  Dread  news  is  thine  for  sires  of  those  who  're 
marching. 

Chor.  Nay,  but  I  think  thou  soon  wilt  know  the  whole 

truth ; 

This  running  one  may  know  is  that  of  Persian :  * 
For  good  or  evil  some  clear  news  he  bringeth. 

Enter  Messenger. 

Mess.  O  cities  of  the  whole  wide  land  of  Asia  I 
O  soil  of  Persia,  haven  of  great  wealth  ! 
How  at  one  stroke  is  brought  to  nothingness 
Our  great  prosperity,  and  all  the  flower 
Of  Persia's  strength  is  fallen  !     Woe  is  me  I 
'Tis  ill  to  be  the  first  to  bring  ill  news  ; 
Yet  needs  must  I  the  whole  woe  tell,  ye  Persians : 
All  our  barbaric  mighty  host  is  lost.4 

(tj  The  words  point  to  the  silver  mines  of  Lanreion,  which  had  been 
worked  under  Peisistratos,  and  of  which  this  is  the  first  mention  in  Greek 
literature. 

12)  Once  more  the  contrast  between  the  Greek  hoplite  and  the  light- 
arnicd  archers  of  the  invaders  is  dwelt  upon.  The  next  answer  of  the 
Chonis  dwells  upon  the  deeper  contrast,  then  prominent  in  the  minds 
of  all  Athenians,  between  their  democratic  freedom  and  the  despotism  of 
Persia.  Comp.  Herod,  v.  78. 

(3)  The  system  of  postal  communications  by  means  'A  couriers  which 
DsTeios  had  organized  had  made  their  speed  in  running  proverbial, 
(Herod,  viii.  97  ) 

(4)  With  the    characteristic  contempt    of   a  Greek    for    other    race*, 
^Eschylos  makes  the  Persians  speak  of  themselves  throughout  as  'barb** 

'  'barbaric.' 


THE    PERSIANa 


BTROPH.  I* 

CAor.  O  piteous,  piteous  woe  ! 

O  strange  and  dread  event  ! 
Weep,  O  ye  Persians,  hearing  thie  great  grief  I 

Mess.  Yea,  all  things  there  are  ruined  utterly  ; 
And  I  myself  beyond  all  hope  behold 
The  light  of  day  at  home. 

AXTISTBOPH.  I. 

Chor.  O'er-long  doth  life  appear 

To  me,  bowed  down  with  years, 
On  hearing  this  unlooked-for  misery. 

Mess.  And  I,  indeel,  being  present  and  not  hearing 
The  tales  of  others,  can  report,  ye  Persians, 
What  ills  were  brought  to  pass. 

STEOPH.  II. 

CJior.  Alas,  alas  !  in  vain 
The  many-weaponed  and  commingled  host 
Went  from  the  land  of  Asia  to  invade 

The  soil  divine  of  Hellas. 

Mess.  Pull  of  the  dead,  slain  foully,  are  the  coasts 
Of  Salamis,  and  all  the  neighbouring  shore. 

ANTISTROPH.  II.  . 

Chor.  Alas,  alas  !  sea-tossed 
The  bodies  of  our  friends,  and  much  disstained  : 
Thou  say'st  that  they  are  drifted  to  and  fro 

*In  far  out-floating  garments.1 
Mesa.  E'en  so  ;  our  bows  availed  not,  but  the  host 
Has  perished,  conquered  by  the  clash  of  ships. 

STBOPH.  III. 

Chor.  Wail,  raise  a  bitter  cry  M* 

And  full  of  woe,  for  those  who  died  in  fight. 
How  eveiy  way  the  Gods  have  wrought  out  ill, 
Ah  me  !  ah  me,  our  army  all  destroyed. 

Mess.  O  name  of  Salamis  that  most  I  loathe  I 
Ah,  how  I  groan,  remembering  Athens  too  I 

(I)  Perhaps  —      "  On  planks  that  floated  onward," 
Or  —  *'  Onl  and  and  sea  fax  spreading.'* 


THE    PERSIANS. 


ASTWTBOPH.  III. 

Chor.  Yea,  to  her  enemies 
Athens  may  well  be  hateful,  and  our  minds 
Eemember  how  full  many  a  Persian  wife 
She,  for  no  cause,  made  widows  and  bereaved. 

Atoss.  Long  time  I  have  been  silent  in  my  woa, 
Crushed  down  with  grief;  for  this  calamity 
Exceeds  all  power  to  tell  the  woe,  or  ask. 
Yot  still  we  mortals  needs  must  bear  the  griefs 
The  Gods  send  on  us.     Clearly  tell  thy  tale, 
Unfolding  the  whole  mischief,  even  though 
Thou  groan'st  at  evils,  who  there  is  not  dead, 
And  which  of  our  chief  captains  we  must  mourn, 
And  who,  being  set  in  office  o'er  the  host, 
Left  by  their  death  that  office  desolate. 

Mess.  Xerxes  still  lives  and  sees  the  light  of  day. 

Atoss.  To  my  house,  then,  great  light  thy  words  have 

brought, 
Bright  dawn  of  morning  after  murky  night. 

Mess.  Artembares,  the  lord  of  myriad  horse, 
On  the  hard  flinty  coasts  of  the  Sileni 
Is  now  being  dashed ;  and  valiant  Dadakes, 
Captain  of  thousands,  smitten  with  the  spear, 
Leapt  wildly  from  his  ship.     And  Tenagon, 
Best  of  the  true  old  Bactrians,  haunts  the  soil 
Qf  Aias'  isle ;  Lilaios,  Arsames, 
And  with  them  too  Argestes,  there  defeated, 
Hard  by  the  island  where  the  doves  abound,1 
Beat  here  and  there  upon  the  rocky  shore. 
[And  from  the  springs  of  Neilos,  2Egypt's  stream, 
Arkteus,  Adeues,  Pheresseues  too, 
These  with  Pharnuchos  in  one  ship  were  lost ;] 
Matallos,  Chrysa-born,  the  captain  bold 
Of  myriads,  leader  he  of  swarthy  horse 

(1)  Possibly  Salami's  itself,  as  famed  for  the  doves  which  were  reared" 
there  as  sacred  to  Aphrodite,  but  possibly  also  one  of  the  smaller  island* 
in  the  Saronic  gulf,  which  the  epithet  would  be  enough  to  designate  tor 
an  Athenian  audience.  The  "  coasts  of  the  Sileni  "  in  v.  305  are  identified 
\rf  bchoiiosts  with  Salamis. 


THE    PERSIANS  IJ 


Some  thrice  ten  thousand  strong,  has  fallen  low, 

His  red  beard,  hanging  all  its  shaggy  length, 

Deep  dyed  with  blood,  and  purpled  all  his  skin. 

Arabian  Magos,  Bactrian  Artames, 

They  perished,  settlers  in  a  land  full  rough. 

[Amietris  and  Amphistreus,  guiding  well 

The  spear  of  many  a  conflict,  and  the  noble 

Ariomardos,  leaving  bitter  grief 

For  Sardis ;  and  the  Mysian  Seisames.] 

With  twelve  score  ships  and  ten  came  Tharybis ; 

Lyrnsoan  he  in  birth,  once  fair  in  form, 

lie  lies,  poor  wretch,  a  death  inglorious  dying : 

And,  first  in  valour  proved,  Syennesis, 

Kilikian  satrap,  who,  for  one  man,  gave 

Most  trouble  to  his  foes,  and  nobly  died.  ** 

Of  leaders  such  as  these  I  mention  make, 

And  out  of  many  evils  tell  but  few. 

Atoss.  "Woe,  woe  :  I  hear  the  very  worst  of  ills, 
Shame  to  the  Persians,  cause  of  bitter  wail ; 
But  tell  me,  going  o'er  the  ground  again, 
How  great  the  number  of  the  Hellenes'  navy, 
That  they  presumed  with  Persia's  armament 
To  wage  their  warfare  in  the  clash  of  ships. 

Mess.  As  far  as  numbers  went,  be  sure  the  ships 
Of  Persia  had  the  better,  for  the  Hellenes  *** 

Had,  as  their  total,  ships  but  fifteen  score, 
And  other  ten  selected  as  reserve.1 
And  Xerxes  (well  I  know  it)  had  a  thousand 
Which  he  commanded — those  that  most  excelled  * 
In  speed  were  twice  five  score  and  seven  in  number ; 
So  stands  the  account.     Deem'st  thou  our  forces  less 
In  that  encounter  ?     Nay,  some  Power  above 
Destroyed  our  host,  and  pressed  the  balance  down 
With  most  unequal  fortune,  and  the  Gods 
Preserve  the  city  of  the  Goddess  Pallas. 

(1J  Perhaps —  "  And  ten  of  these  selected  as  reserve." 

(2)  As  regards  the  number  of  the  Persian  ships,  1000  of  average,  and 
207  of  special  swiftness.  jEschylos  agrees  with  Herodotus,  who  tnres  tin 
total  of  1207.  The  latter,  however,  reckons  the  Greek  ships  not  at  3l\X 
but  378  (vii.  89,  viii.  48). 

0 


13  THE    PERSIANS. 


Atnss.  Is  the  Athenians'  city  then  unsacked  ?  "* 

Jl/«ss.  Their  men  are  left,  and  that  is  bulwark  strong.1 
Atoss.  Ne^t  tell  me  how  the  fight  of  ships  begau. 
Who  led  the  attack  ?    Were  those  Hellenes  the  first, 
Or  was't  my  son,  exulting  in  his  strength  ? 

Mess.  The  author  of  the  mischief,  O  my  mistress, 
Was  some  foul  fiend  or  Power  on  evil  bent ; 
For  lo  !  a  Hellene  from  the  Athenian  host J 
Came  to  thy  son,  to  Xerxes,  and  spake  thus, 
That  should  the  shadow  of  the  dark  night  come, 
The  Hellenes  would  not  wait  him,  but  would  leap          *8 
Into  their  rowers'  benches,  here  and  there, 
And  save  their  lives  in  secret,  hasty  flight. 
And  he  forthwith,  this  hearing,  knowing  not 
The  Hellene's  guile,  nor  yet  the  Gods'  great  wrath, 
Gives  this  command  to  all  his  admirals, 
Soon  as  the  sun  should  cease  to  burn  the  earth. 
With  his  bright  rays,  and  darkness  thick  invade 
The  firmament  of  heaven,  to  set  their  ships 
In  three-fold  lines,  to  hinder  all  escape, 
And  guard  the  billowy  straits,  and  others  place  ** 

In  circuit  round  about  the  isle  of  Aias : 
For  if  the  Hellenes  'scaped  an  evil  doom, 
And  found  a  way  of  secret,  hasty  flight, 
It  was  ordained  that  all  should  lose  their  heads.* 
Such  things  he  spake  from  soul  o'erwrought  with  pride, 
For  he  knew  not  what  fate  the  Gods  would  send ; 
And  they,  not  mutinous,  but  prompt  to  serve, 
Then  made  their  supper  ready,  and  each  sailor 
Fastened  his  oar  around  true-fitting  thole 

(1)  The  fact  that  Athens  had  actually  been  taken,  and  its  chief  build- 
ings plundered  and  laid  waste,  was,  of  course,  not  a  pleasant  one  for  tb« 
poet  to  ('.well  on.     It  could  hardly,  however,  be  entirely  passed  over,  and 
this  is  the  one  allusion  to  it.    In   the   truest   sense  "it  was  still   "un- 
sacked  :  "   it  had  not  lost  its  most  effective  defence,  its  -nost  precious 
treasure. 

(2)  As  the  story  is  told  by  Herodotos,  (viii.  75,)  this  was  Sikinnos,  the 
slavt  of  Theroistocles,  and  the  stratagem  was  the  device  of  that  com- 
mande*  to  save  the  Greeks  from  the  disgrace  and  ruin  of  a  aauve  gui  ptot 
flight  in  all  directions. 

(3)  The  Greeks  never  beheaded  thoir  criminals,  and  the  punishment  it 
mentioned  as  be-ng  specially  characteristic  of  the  barbaric  Persian) 


THE    PERSIANS.  19 


And  when  the  sunlight  vanished,  and  the  night 

Had  come,  then  each  man,  master  of  an  oar, 

Went  to  his  ship,  and  all  men  bearing  arms, 

And  through  the  long  ships  rank  cheered  loud  to  rank ; 

And  so  they  sail,  as  'twas  appointed  each, 

And  all  night  long  the  captains  of  the  fleet 

Kept  their  men  working,  rowing  to  and  fro ; 

Night  then  came  on,  and  the  Hellenic  host 

In  no  wise  sought  to  take  to  secret  flight. 

And  when  day,  bright  to  look  on  with  white  steeds, 

O'erspread  the  earth,  then  rose  from  the  Hellenes          "* 

Loud  chant  of  cry  of  battle,  and  forthwith 

Echo  gave  answer  from  each  island  rock ; 

And  terror  then  on  all  the  Persians  fell, 

Of  fond  hopes  disappointed.     Not  in  flight 

The  Hellenes  then  their  solemn  paeans  sang : 

But  with  brave  spirit  hasting  on  to  battle. 

With  martial  sound  the  trumpet  fired  those  ranks ; 

And  straight  with  sweep  of  oars  that  flew  through  foam, 

They  smote  the  loud  waves  at  the  boatswain's  call ; 

And  swiftly  all  were  manifest  to  sight.  ** 

Then  first  their  right  wing  moved  in  order  meet ; l 

Next  the  whole  line  its  forward  course  began, 

And  all  at  once  we  heard  a  mighty  shout, — 

"  0  sons  of  Hellenes,  forward,  free  your  country; 

Free  too  your  wives,  your  children,  and  the  shrines 

Built  to  your'fathers'  Gods,  and  holy  tombs 

Your  ancestors  now  rest  in.     Now  the  fight 

Is  for  our  all."     And  on  our  side  indeed 

Arose  in  answer 'din  of  Persian  speech, 

And  time  to  wait  was  over ;  ship  on  ship  *** 

iJashed  its  bronze-pointed  beak,  and  first  a  barque 

Of  Hellas  did  the  encounter  fierce  begin,1 

And  from  Phosnikian  vessel  crashes  off 

(1)  The    j^srinetans  and  Megarians,  according  to  the  account  pre- 
served by  Uiodoros,  (xi.   18,)  or  the  Lacedaemonians,  according  to  He- 
rod otos,  (viii.  (55.) 

(2)  This  may  be  meant  to   refer  to  the  achievements  of  Ameinias  of 
Pallene,  who  appears  in  the  traditional  life  of  -K.schylus  as  his  youngest 
brother. 


20  THE    PERSIANS. 


Her  carved  prow.     And  each  against  his  neighbour 

Steers  his  own  ship  :  and  first  the  mighty  flood 

Of  Persian  host  held  out.     But  when  the  ships 

Were  crowded  in  the  straits,1  nor  could  they  give 

Help  to  each  other,  they  with  mutual  shocks, 

With  beaks  of  bronze  went  crushing  each  the  other, 

Shivering  their  rowers'  benches.     And  the  ships 

Of  Hellas,  with  manoeuvring  not  unskilful, 

Charged  circling  round  them.     And  the  hulls  of  shipa  *** 

Floated  capsized,  nor  could  the  sea  be  seen, 

Strown,  as  it  was,  with  wrecks  and  carcases ; 

And  all  the  shores  and  rocks  were  full  of  corpses. 

And  every  ship  was  wildly  rowed  in  fight, 

All  that  composed  the  Persian  armament. 

And  they,  as  men  spear  tunnies,2  or  a  haul 

Of  other  fishes,  with  the  shafts  of  oars, 

Or  spars  of  wrecks  went  smiting,  cleaving  down; 

And  bitter  groans  and  wailings  overspread 

The  wide  sea- waves,  till  eye  of  swarthy  night  ** 

Bade  it  all  cease  :  and  for  the  mass  of  ills, 

Not,  though  my  tale  should  run  for  ten  full  days, 

Could  I  in  full  recount  them.     Be  assured 

That  never  yet  so  great  a  multitude 

Died  in  a  single  day  as  died  in  this. 

Atosa.  Ah,  me !     Great  then  the  sea  of  ills  that  breaks 
On  Persia  and  the  whole  barbaric  host. 

Mess.  Be  sure  our  evil  fate  is  but  half  o'er : 
On  this  has  supervened  such  bulk  of  woe, 
As  more  than  twice  to  outweigh  what  I've  told.  **" 

Atoss.  And  yet  what  fortune  could  be  worse  than  this  ? 
Say,  what  is  this  disaster  which  thou  tell'st, 
That  turns  the  scale  to  greater  evils  still  ? 

Mesa.  Those  Persians  that  were  in  the  bloom  of  life, 

(1)  Se.,  in  Herod,  viii.  fiO,  the  strait  between  Salamis  and  the  mainland. 

(2)  Tunny-fishing  has  always  been  prominent  in  the  occupations  of  th« 
Mediterranean  coasts,  and  the  sailors  who   formed  so  large  a  part  ol 
every  Athenian  audience  would  be  familiar  with  the  process  here  de- 
scribed, of  striking  or  harpooning  them.    Aristophanes   (ll'eupi,  1087) 
coins  (or  uses)  the  word  "to  tunny"  (Vvvvd^ta}   to  express  the  act 
Corap  Herod.  1.  62. 


THE    PERSIANS.  21 


Bravest  in  heart  and  noblest  in  their  blood, 
And  by  the  king  himself  deemed  worthiest  trust, 
Basely  ar.d  by  most  shameful  death  have  died. 

Atoss.  Ah  !  woe  is  me,  my  friends,  for  our  ill  fate  I 
What  was  the  death  by  which  thou  say'st  they  perished  F 

Mess.  There  is  an  isle  that  lies  off  Salamis,1 
Small,  with  bad  anchorage  for  ships,  where  Pan, 
Pan  the  dance-loving,  haunts  the  sea-washed  coast. 
There  Xerxes  sends  these  men,  that  when  their  foes, 
Being  wrecked,  should  to  the  islands  safely  swim, 
They  might  with  ease  destroy  th'  Hellenic  host, 
And  save  their  friends  from  out  the  deep  sea's  paths ; 
But  ill  the  future  guessing :  for  when  God 
Gave  the  Hellenes  the  glory  of  the  battle, 
In  that  same  hour,  with  arms  well  wrought  in  bronze 
Shielding  their  bodies,  from  their  ships  they  leapt, 
And  the  whole  isle  encircled,  so  that  we  *** 

Were  sore  distressed,2  and  knew  not  where  to  turn ; 
.For  here  men's  hands  hurled  many  a  stone  at  them ; 
And  there  the  arrows  from  the  archer's  bow 
Smote  and  destroyed  them  ;  and  with  one  great  rush, 
At  last  advancing,  they  upon  them  dash 
And  smite,  and  hew  the  limbs  of  these  poor  wretches, 
Till  they  each  foe  had  utterly  destroyed. 
[And  Xerxes  when  he  saw  how  deep  the  ill,* 
Groaned  out  aloud,  for  he  had  ta'en  his  seat, 
With  clear,  wide  view  of  all  the  army  round, 
On  a  high  cliff  hard  by  the  open  sea ; 
And  tearing  then  his  robes  with  bitter  cry,  -lt 

And  giving  orders  to  his  troops  on  shore, 

(1)  8e.,  Psyttaleia,  lying  between  Ralamis  and  the  mainland.  Pausanwa 
(i.  .'i'i-82)  describes  it  in  hit*  time  as  Laving  no  artistic  shrine  or  statue, 
but  full  everywhere  of  roughly-carved  images  of  Pan,  to  whom  the  island 
was  sacred,     it  lay  just  opposite  the  entrance  to  the  Peiraoa.    The  con- 
nexion of  Pan  with  fcSolamis  and  its  adjacent  islands  seems  implied  ia 
Sophocles,  Aias.  695. 

(2)  The  manoeuvre  was,  we  learn  from  Ilerodotos  (viii.  95),  the  work  of 
Aristeides,  the   personal  friend  of  .^Eschylos,  and  the  statesman   with 
whose  policy  he  had  most  sympathy. 

(3)  The  lines  are  noted  as  probably  a  spurious  addition,  by  a  weaker 
baud,  to  the  text,  as  introducing  surplusage,  as  inconsistent  with  LLarodv* 
toe,  and  as  faulty  in  their  metrical  structure. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


He  sends  them  off  in  foul  retreat.     This  grief 
Tis  thine  to  mourn  besides  the  former  ills.] 

Atoss.  0  hateful  Power,  how  thou  of  all  their  hopes 
Hast  robbed  the  Persians  !     Bitter  doom  my  son 
Devised  for  glorious  Athens,  nor  did  they, 
The  invading  host  who  fell  at  Marathon, 
Suffice  ;  but  my  son,  counting  it  his  task 
To  exact  requital  for  it,  brought  on  him 
So  great  a  crowd  of  sorrows.     But  I  pray, 
As  to  those  ships  that  have  this  fate  escaped,  *** 

Where  did'st  thou  leave  them  ?    Can'st  thou  clearly  tell  ? 

Mess.  The  captains  of  the  vessels  that  were  left, 
With  a  fair  wind,  but  not  in  meet  array, 
Took  flight :  and  all  the  remnant  of  the  army 
Fell  in  Boeotia — some  for  stress  of  thirst 
About  the  fountain  clear,  and  some  of  us. 
Panting  for  breath,  cross  to  the  Phokians'  land, 
The  soil  of  Doris,  and  the  Melian  gulf, 
Where  fair  Spercheios  waters  all  the  plains 
With  kindly  flood,  and  then  the  Achaean  fields  °* 

And  city  of  the  Thessali  received  us, 
Famished  for  lack  of  food  ; l  and  many  died 
Of  thirst  and  hunger,  for  both  ills  we  bore ; 
And  then  to  the  Magnetian  land  we  came, 
And  that  of  Macedonians,  to  the  stream 
Of  Axios,  and  Bolbe's  reed-grown  marsh, 
And  Mount  Pangaios  and  the  EcLmian  land. 
And  on  that  night  God  sent  a  mighty  frost, 
"Unwonted  at  that  season,  sealing  up 
The  whole  course  of  the  Strymon's  pure,  clear  flood  ;  * 
And  they  who  erst  had  deemed  the  Gods  as  nought,        *"* 
Thou  prayed  with  hot  entreaties,  worshipping 
Both  earth  and  heaven.     And  after  that  the  host 

(1)  So  Herodotos  (viii.  115)  describes  them  as  driven  by  hunger  to  eat 
even  pi-ass  and  leaves. 

i'2)  No  trace  of  this  pnssMEre  over  the  frozen  fitrymon  appears  in  Hero- 
dotos, who  leaves  thw  reader  to  imagim-  that  it  was  crossr.l,  as  before,  by 
a  bridge.  It  is  hardly,  indeed,  consistent  with  dramatic  probability 
i.hsit  the  courier  should  have  remained  to  watch  the  whole  retreat  of  tlio 
defeated  army;  and  on  this  and  other  grounds,  the  latter  part  of  tltt 
ryeech  has  been  rejected  by  some  critics  aa  a  later  addition. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


Ceased  from  its  instant  calling  on  the  Gods, 

It  crosses  o'er  the  glassy,  frozen  stream; 

And  whosoe'er  set  forth  before  the  rays 

Of  the  bright  God  were  shed  abroad,  was  saved  ; 

For  soon  the  glorious  sun  with  burning  blaze 

Reached  the  mid-stream  and  warmed  it  with  its  flame, 

And  they,  confused,  each  on  the  other  fell. 

Blest  then  was  he  whose  soul  most  speedily 

Breathed  out  its  life.     And  those  who  yet  survived 

And  gained  deliverance,  crossing  with  great  toil 

And  many  a  pang  through  Thrake,  now  are  come, 

Escaped  from  perils,  no  great  number  they, 

To  this  our  sacred  land,  and  so  it  groans, 

This  city  of  the  Persians,  missing  much 

Our  country's  dear-loved  youth.     Too  true  my  tale, 

And  many  things  I  from  my  speech  omit, 

Ills  which  the  Persians  suffer  at  God's  hand. 

Chor.  O  Power  resistless,  with  what  weight  of  woe 
On  all  the  Persian  race  have  thy  feet  leapt ! 

A  toss.  Ah  !  woe  is  me  for  that  our  armv  lost ! 

0  vision  of  the  night  that  cam'st  in  dreams,  K0 
Too  clearly  did'st  thou  shew  me  of  these  ills  ! 

But  ye  (to  Chorus)  did  judge  them  far  too  carelessly; 
Yet  since  your  counsel  pointed  to  that  course, 

1  to  the  Gods  will  first  my  prayer  address. 
And  then  with  gifts  to  Earth  and  to  the  Dead, 
Bringing  the  chrism  from  my  store,  I'll  come. 
For  our  past  ills,  I  know,  'tis  all  too  late, 
But  for  the  future,  I  may  hope,  will  dawn 

A  better  fortune  !     But  'tis  now  your  part 
In  these  our  present  ills,  in  counsel  faithful 
To  commune  with  the  Faithful ;  and  my  son, 
Should  he  come  here  before  me,  comfort  him, 
And  home  escort  him,  lest  he  add  fresh  ill 
To  all  these  evils  that  we  suffer  now.  [£**#. 

Chor.  Zeus  our  king,  who  now  to  nothing 

Bring'st  the  army  of  the  Persians, 

Multitudinous,  much  boasting ; 


14  THE    PERSIANS. 


And  •with  gloomy  woe  hast  shrouded 
Both  Ecbatana  and  Susa ;  , 

Many  maidens  now  are  tearing 
With  their  tender  hands  their  mantles, 
And  with  tear-floods  wet  their  bosoms, 
In  the  common  grief  partaking ; 
And  the  brides  of  Persian  warriors, 
Dainty  even  in  their  wailing, 
Longing  for  their  new-wed  husbands, 
Eeft  of  bridal  couch  luxurious, 
With  its  coverlet  so  dainty, 
Losing  joy  of  wanton  youth-time, 
Mourn  in  never-sated  wailings. 
And  I  too  in  fullest  measure 
Eaise  again  meet  cry  of  sorrow, 
Weeping  for  the  loved  and  lost  ones. 
STROPH.  I. 

For  now  the  land  of  Asia  mourneth  sore, 

Left  desolate  of  men, 
'Twas  Xerxes  led  them  forth,  woe  !  wool 
'Twas  Xerxes  lost  them  all,  woe !  woe  I 

'Twas  Xerxes  who  with  evil  counsels  sped 
Their  course  in  sea-borne  barques. 

Why  was  Dareios  erst  so  free  from  harm, 
First  bowman  of  the  state, 

The  leader  whom  the  men  of  Susa  loved, 

AXTISTBOPH.  I. 

While  those  who  fought  as  soldiers  or  at  sea, 

These  ships,  dark-hulled,  well-rowed, 
Their  own  ships  bore  them  on,  woe  !  woe  I 
Their  own  ships  lost  them  all,  woe  !  woe  I 
Their  own  ships,  in  the  crash  of  ruin  urged, 

And  by  Ionian  hands  ? 1 

The  king  himself,  we  hear,  but  hardly  'scapes, 
Through  Thrake's  wide-spread  steppes, 
And  paths  o'ei  which  the  tempests  wildly  sweep. 

(1}  The  lonians,  not  of  the  Asiatic  Ionia,  but  of  Attioa. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


STBOPH.  II. 

And  they  who  perished  first,  ah  me  I  "* 

Perforce  unburied  left,  alas  ! 

Are  scattered  round  Kychreia's  shore,1  woe !  woe  I 
Lament,  mourn  sore,  and  raise  a  bitter  cry, 

Grievous,  the  sky  to  pierce,  woe !  woe  I 
And  let  thy  mourning  voice  uplift  its  strain 

Of  loud  and  full  lament. 

AVTISTROPH.  .TT. 

Torn  by  the  whirling  flood,  ah  me  I 

Their  carcases  are  gnawed,  alas  ! 

By  the  dumb  brood  of  stainless  sea,  woe  !  woe  I  ** 

And  each  house  mourneth  for  its  vanished  lord ; 

And  childless  sires,  woe  !  woe ! 
Mourning  in  age  o'er  griefs  the  Gods  have  sent, 

Now  hear  their  utter  loss. 

STROPH.  HI. 

And  throughout  all  Asia's  borders 
None  now  own  the  sway  of  Persia, 
Nor  bring  any  more  their  tribute, 
Owning  sway  of  sovereign  master. 
Low  upon  the  Earth,  laid  prostrate, 
Is  the  strength  of  our  great  monarch. 

ANTISTROFH.  III. 

No  more  need  men  keep  in  silence 
Tongues  fast  bound :  for  now  the  people 
May  with  freedom  speak  at  pleasure ; 
For  the  yoke  of  power  is  broken ; 
And  blood-stained  in  all  its  meadows 
Holds  the  sea-washed  isle  of  Aias 
What  was  once  the  host  of  Persia. 

He-enter  ATOSSA. 

Atoss.  Whoe'er,  my  friends,   is  vexed  in   troublous 
times,  *• 

(1)  Kychreia,  the  archaic  name  of  Salamis. 


86  THE    PERSIANS. 


Knows  that  when  once  a  tide  of  woe  sets  in, 

A  man  is  wont  to  fear  in  everything,; 

But  when  Fate  flows  on  smoothly,  then  to  trust 

That  the  same  Fate  will  ever  .send  fair  gales. 

So  now  all  these  disasters  from  the  Gods 

Seem  in  mine  eyes  filled  full  of  fear  and  dread, 

And  in  mine  ears  rings  cry  unpaeanlike, 

So  great  a  dread  of  all  has  seized  my  soul : 

And  therefore  now,  without  or  chariot's  state 

Or  wonted  pomp,  have  I  thus  issued  forth 

From  out  my  palace,  to  my  son's  sire  bringing 

Libations  loving,  gifts  propitiatory, 

Meet  for  the  dead ;  milk  pure  and  white  from  cow 

Unblemished,  and  bright  honey  that  distils 

From  the  flower- working  bee,  and  water  drawn 

From  virgin  fountain,  and  the  draught  unmarred 

From  mother  wild,  bright  child  of  ancient  vine ; 

And  here  too  of  the  tree  that  evermore 

Keeps  its  fresh  life  in  foliage,  the  pale  olive, 

Is  the  sweet-smelling  fruit,  and  twined  wreath? 

Of  flowers,  the  children  of  all-bearing  earth.1  ** 

But  ye,  my  friends,  o'er  these  libations  poured 

In  honour  of  the  dead,  chant  forth  your  hymns, 

And  call  upon  Dareios  as  a  God : 

While  I  will  send  unto  the  Gods  below 

These  votive  offerings  whioh  the  earth  shall  drink. 

[Goes  to  the  tomb o/DAKEios  in  the  centrt 

of  the  stage. 
Chor.  0  royal  lady,  honoured  of  the  Persians, 

Do  thou  libations  pour 
To  the  dark  chambers  of  the  dead  below; 

And  we  with  hymns  will  pray 
The  Powers  that  act  as  escorts  of  the  dead 
To  give  us  kindly  help  beneath  the  earth. 
But  oh,  yc  holy  Ones  in  darkness  dwelling, 


THE    PERSIANS. 


Hermes  and  Earth,  and  thou,  the  Lord  of  Hell, 

Send  from  beneath,  a  soul 

Up  to  the  light  of  earth ; 
For  should  he  know  a  cure  for  these  our  ilia, 
He,  he  alone  of  men,  their  end  may  tell. 

STBOPH.  I. 

Doth  he,  the  blest  one  hear, 
The  king,  like  Gods  in  power, 
Hear  mo,  as  I  send  forth 
My  cries  in  barbarous  speech, 
Yet  very  clear  to  him, — 
Sad,  varied,  broken  cries 
So  as  to  tell  aloud 

Our  troubles  terrible  ?  ** 

Ah,  doth  he  hear  below  ? 

AUTISTBOPH.  I. 

But  thou,  0  Earth,  and  ye, 
The  other  Lords  of  those 
Beneath  the  grave  that  dwell  J 
Grant  that  the  godlike  one 
May  come  from  out  your  home, 
The  Persians'  mighty  God, 
In  Susa's  palace  born  ; 
Send  him,  I  pray  you,  up, 
The  like  of  whom  the  soil 
Of  Persia  never  hid. 

STROPH.  H. 
Dear  was  our  chief,  and  dear  to  us  his  tomb, 

For  dear  the  life  it  hides ;  •• 

Aidoneus,  0  Aidoneus,  send  him  forth, 
Thou  who  dost  lead  the  dead  to  Earth  again, 
*Yea,  send  Dareios.  .  .  What  a  king  was  he  I 

AVTISTKOPH.  II. 
For  never  did  he  in  war's  bloody  woe 

Lose  all  his  warrior-host, 
But  Heaven-taught  Counsellor  the  Persians  called  him, 


THE    PERSIANS. 


And  Heaven-taught  Counsellor  in  truth  he  proved, 
Since  he  still  ruled  his  hosts  of  subjects  welL 

STEOPH.  in. 

Monarch,  0  ancient  monarch,  come,  oh,  come, 
Come  to  the  summit  of  sepulchral  mound, 

Lifting  thy  foot  encased 

In  slipper  saffron-dyed, 

And  giving  to  our  view 

Thy  royal  tiara's  crest :  * 
Speak,  0  Dareios,  faultless  father,  speak. 

ANTISTBOPH.  III. 

Yea,  come,  that  thou,  0  Lord,  may'st  hear  the  woes, 
Woes  new  and  strange,  our  lord  has  now  endured ; 

For  on  us  now  has  fallen 

A  dark  and  Stygian  mist, 

Since  all  the  armed  youth 

Has  perished  utterly ; 
Speak,  0  Dareios,  faultless  father,  speak. 

EPODB. 

O  thou,  whose  death  thy  friends 

Bewail  with  many  tears, 

*Why  thus,  0  Lord  of  lords, 
*In  double  error  of  wild  frenzy  born, 

Have  all  our  triremes  good 

Been  lost  to  this  our  land, 
Ships  that  are  ships  no  more,  yea,  ships  no  more  P 

The  Ghost  of  DAREIOS   appears  on  the  summit  of  tfo 
mound. 

Dar.  O  faithful  of  the  Faithful,  ye  who  were 
Companions  of  my  youth,  ye  Persian  elders, 
What  troubles  is  't  my  country  toils  beneath  ? 
The  whole  plain  groans,  cut  up  and  furrowed  o'er,* 

(1)  The  description  obviously  gives  the  state  dress  of  the  Persian  king*. 
They  alone  wore  the  tiara  erect. — Xen.  Kyrop.  viii.  3,  13. 

(2)  Either  that  he  has  felt  the  measured  tread  of  the  mourners  round 
kie  tomb,  as  they  went  wailing  round  and  round,  or  that  he  baa  heard 


THE    PERSIANS.  29 


And  I,  beholding  now  my  queen  beloved 

Standing  hard  by  my  sepulchre,  feared  much,  ** 

And  her  libations  graciously  received ; 

But  ye  wail  loud  near  this  my  sepulchre, 

And  shouting  shrill  with  cries  that  raise  the  dead, 

Te  call  me  with  your  plaints.     No  easy  task 

Is  it  to  come,  for  this  cause  above  all, 

That  the  great  Gods  who  reign  below  are  apter 

To  seize  men  than  release :  yet  natheless  I, 

Being  great  in  power  among  them,  now  am  come. 

Be  quick  then,  that  none  blame  me  as  too  late ;  * 

What  new  dire  evils  on  the  Persians  weigh  ? 

Chor.  I  fear  to  look  on  thee,  •• 

Fear  before  thee  to  speak, 
With  all  the  awe  of  thee  I  felt  of  old. 

Dar.  But  since  I  came  by  thy  complaints  persuaded, 
From  below  rising,  spin  no  lengthened  tale  ; 
But  shortly,  clearly  speak,  and  tell  thy  story, 
And  leave  awhile  thine  awe  and  fear  of  me. 

Chor.  I  dread  thy  wish  to  grant, 

*I  dread  to  say  thee  nay,2 
Saying  things  that  it  is  hard  for  friends  to  speak. 

Dar.  Nay,  then,  since  that  old  dread  of  thine  prevents 

thee, 

Do  thou  \to  ATOSSA],  the  ancient  partner  of  my  bed,      10° 
My  noble  queen,  from  these  thy  plaints  and  meanings 
Cease,  and  say  something  clearly.     Human  sorrows 
May  well  on  mortals  fall ;  for  many  evils, 
Some  on  the  sea,  and  some  on  dry  land  also, 
Happen  to  men  if  life  be  far  prolonged. 

Atoss.  0  thou,  who  in  the  fate  of  fair  good  fortune 
Excelled'st  all  men,  who,  while  yet  thou  sawest 
The  sun's  bright  rays,  did'st  lead  a  life  all  blessed, 
Admired,  yea,  worshipped  as  a  God  by  Persians, 

the  rush  of  armies,  and  seen  the  plain  tracked  by  chariot- wheels,  and 
comes,  not  knowing  all  these  things,  to  learn  what  it  means. 

(1)  The  words  point  to  the  widespread  belief  that  when  the  souls  of 
the  dead  were  permitted  to  return  to  earth,  it  was  with  strict  liiaiUtUuu* 
•s  to  the  time  of  their  leave  of  absence. 

(2j  Perhaps—  "  I  dread  to  speak  the  truth." 


JO  THE    PERSIANS. 


Now,  too,  I  count  thee  blest  in  that  thou  died'st 
Before  thou  saw'st  the  depth  of  these  our  evils. 
For  now,  Dareios,  thou  shalt  hear  a  story 
Full,  yet  in  briefest  moment.     Utter  ruin, 
To  sum  up  all,  is  come  upon  the  Persians.  <n* 

Dar.  How  so  ?    Hath  plague  or  discord  seized  my 

country  ? 

Atoss.  Not  so,  but  all  the  host  is  lost  near  Athens. 
Dar.  What  son  of  mine  led  that  host  thither,  tell  me  ?* 
Atoss.  Xerxes  o'er-hasty,  emptying  all  the  mainland. 
Dar.  Made  he  this  mad  attempt  by  land  or  water  ? 
Atoss.  By  both ;  two  lines  there  were  of  two  great 

armies. 

Dar.  How  did  so  great  a  host  effect  its  passage  ? 
Atoss.  He  bridged  the  straits  of   Helle,   and  found 

transit. 

Dar.  Did  he  prevail  to  close  the  mighty  Bosporos  ? 
,     Atoss.  So  was  it;  yet  some  God,  it  may  be,  helped 
him.  72« 

Dar.  Alas !  some  great  God  came  and  stole  his  wisdom. 
Atoss.  Yea,  the  end  shows  what  evil  he  accomplished. 
Dar.  And  how  have  they  fared,  that  ye  thus  bewail 

them? 

Atoss.  The  naval  host,  o'ercome,  wrecked  all  the  land- 
force. 

Dar.  What !  is  the  whole  host  by  the  spear  laid  pros- 
trate? 

Atoss.  For  this  doth  Susa's  city  mourn  her  losses. 
Dar.  Alas,  for  that  brave  force  and  mighty  army ! 
Atosa.  The  Bactrians  all  are  lost,  not  old  men  merely. 
Dttr.  Poor  fool !  how  he  hath  lost  his  host's  fresh  vigour ! 
Atoss.    Xerxes,    they    say,    alone,     with    but    few 

others  .... 

Dar.  What  is  his  end,  and  where  ?  Is  there  no  safety? 
Atoss.  Was  glad  to  gain  the  bridge  that  joins  two 
mainlands. 

(1)  According  to  Herodotos  (vii.  226)  two  brother*  of  Xerxes  fell  at 
Tbnrmopylce. 


THE    PERSIANS.  3! 


Dar.  And  has  he  reached  this  mainland?    Is  that 
certain  ? 

Atoss.  Yea,  the  report  holds  good.   Here  is  no  discord.1 

Dar.  Ah  me !     Full  swift  the  oracles'  fulfilment  I 
And  on  my  son  hath  Zeus  their  end  directed. 
I  hoped  the  Gods  would  work  them  out  more  slowly; 
But  when  man  hastens,  God  too  with  him  worketh. 
And  now  for  all  my  friends  a  fount  of  evils 
Seems  to  be  found.     And  this  my  son,  not  knowing,     *** 
In  youth's  rash  mood,  hath  wrought ;  for  he  did  purpose 
To  curb  the  sacred  Hellespont  with  fetters, 
As  though  it  were  his  slave,  and  sought  to  alter 
The  stream  of  God,  the  Bosporos,  full-flowing, 
And  his  well-hammered  chains  around  it  casting, 
Prevailed  to  make  his  mighty  host  a  highway ; 
And  though  a  mortal,  thought,  with  no  good  counsel, 
To  master  all  the  Gods,  yea,  e'en  Poseidon. 
Nay,  was  not  my  poor  son  oppressed  with  madness  ? 
And  much  I  fear  lest  all  my  heapod-up  treasure 
Become  the  spoil  and  prey  of  the  first  comer. 

Atoss.  Such  things  the  o'er-hasty  Xerxes  learns  from 
others,  "° 

By  intercourse  with  men  of  evil  counsel ;  * 
Who  say  that  thou  great  wealth  for  thy  son  gained'st 
By  thy  spear's  might,  while  he  with  coward  spirit 
Does  his  spear-work  indoors,  and  nothing  addeth 
Unto  his  father's  glory.     Such  reproaches 
Hearing  full  oft  from  men  of  evil  counsel, 
He  planned  this  expedition  against  Hellas. 

Dar.  Thus  then  a  deed  portentous  hath  been  wrought, 
Ever  to  be  remembered,  su.ch  as  ne'er 
Falling  on  Susa  made  it  desolate, 
Since  Zeus  our  king  ordained  this  dignity, 
Xhat  one  man  should  be  lord  of  Asia's  plains, 

(1)  As  Herodotos  (viii.  117)  tells  the  story,  the  bridge  had  been  broken 
by  tempest  before  Xerxes  reached  it. 

(2)  Probably  Mardonios  and  Onomacritos  the  Athenian  soothsayer  ai6 
referred  to,  who,  according  to  Herodolos  (vii.  0,  viii.  IWJ  were  the  ckM 
inatigatori  of  the  expedition. 


32  THE    PERSIANS. 


Where  feed  her  thousand  flocks,  and  hold  the  rod          ** 

Of  sovran  guidance  :  for  the  Median  first l 

Ruled  o'er  the  host,  and  then  his  son  in  turn 

Finished  the  work,  for  reason  steered  his  soul; 

And  Kyros  came  as  third,  full  richly  blest, 

And  ruled,  and  gained  great  peace  for  all  his  friends ; 

And  he  won  o'er  the  Lydians  and  the  Phrygians, 

And  conquered  all  the  wide  Ionian  land  ;  2 

For  such  his  wisdom,  he  provoked  not  God. 

And  Kyros'  son  came  fourth,  and  ruled  the  host ; 

And  Mardos  fifth  held  sway,  his  country's  shame,*        "* 

Shame  to  the  ancient  throne  ;  and  him  with  guile 

Artaphrenes 4  the  brave  smote  down,  close  leagued 

With  men,  his  friends,  to  whom  the  work  was  given. 

[Sixth,  Maraphis  and  seventh  Artaphrenes,] 

And  I  obtained  this  post  that  I  desired, 

And  with  a  mighty  host  great  victories  won. 

Yet  no  such  evil  brought  I  on  the  state ; 

But  my  son  Xerxes,  young,  thinks  like  a  youth, 

And  all  my  solemn  charge  remembers  not ;    . 

For  know  this  well,  my  old  companions  true,  ** 

That  none  of  us  who  swayed  the  realm  of  old, 

Did  e'er  appear  as  working  ill?  like  these. 

Chor.  What  then,  0  King  Dareios  ?    To  what  end 
Lead'st  thou  thy  speech  ?    And  how,  in  this  our  plight, 
Could  we,  the  Persian  people,  prosper  best  ? 

Dar.  If  ye  no  more  attack  the  Hellenes'  land, 

(1)  Astyages,  the  father-in-law  of  Kyaxares  and  grandfather  of  Kyroa. 
In  this  case  ^Eschylos  must  be  supposed  to  accept  Xenophon's  statement 
that  Kyaxares  succeeded  Astyages.    Possibly,  however,  the  Median  may 
be  Kyaxares  I.,  the  father  of  Astyages,  and  so  the  succession  here  would 
harmonise  with  that  of  Herodotos.     The  whole    succession  must  be 
looked  on  as  embodying  the  loose,  floating  notions  of  the  Athenians  as 
to  the  history  of  their  great  enemy,  rather  than  as  the  result  of  inquiry. 

(2)  Stress  is  laid  on  the  violence  to  which  the  Asiatic  lonians  had  suc- 
cumbed, and  their  resistance  to  which    distinguished  them  from   the 
Lydians  or  Phrygians,  whose  submission  had  been  voluntary. 

(3)  Mardos.    Under  this  name  we  recognise  the  Pseudo-Smerdis  of 
Herodotos,  (iii.  67,)  who,  by  restoring  the  dominion  of  the  Median  Magi, 
the  caste  to  which   he    himself   belonged,  brought  shame   upon   the 
Persiana 

(4)  Possibly  another  form  of  Intaphernes,  who  appears  in  Herodotot 
(iii.  70}  us  one  of  the  seven  conspirators  against  the  Magian  Pseudo- 
BraerdiB. 


THE    PERSIANS.  3J 


E'en,  though  the  Median  host  outnumber  theirs. 
To  them  the  very  land  is  true  ally. 

Chor.  What  meanest  thou  ?     How  fights  the  land  for 
them  ? 

Dar.  *It  slays  with  famine  those  vast  multitudes.      79° 

Chur.  We  then  a  host,  select,  compact,  will  raise. 

Dar.  Nay,  e'en  the  host  which  now  in  Hellas  stays1 
Will  ne'er  return  in  peace  arid  safety  home. 

Chor.  How  say'st  thou  ?    Does  not  all  the  barbarous 

host 
Cross  from  Europa  o'er  the  straits  of  Hell£  ? 

Dar.  But  few  of  many;  if  'tis  meet  for  oiie 
Who  looks  upon  the  things  already  done 
To  trust  the  oracles  of  Gods  ;  for  they, 
Not  these  or  those,  but  all,  are  brought  to  pass : 
If  this  be  so,  then,  resting  on  vain  hopes,2  *" 

He  leaves  a  chosen  portion  of  his  host : 
And  they  abide  where,  watering  all  the  plain, 
Asopos  pours  his  fertilising  stream 
Dear  to  Boeotian  land ;  and  there  of  ills 
The  topmost  crown  awaits  them,  penalty 
Of  wanton  outrage  and  of  godless  thoughts ; 
For  they  to  Hellas  coming,  held  not  back 
In  awe  from  plundering  sculptured  forms  of  Gods  ' 
And  burning  down  their  temples ;  and  laid  low 
Are  altars,  and  the  shrines  of  Gods  o'erthrown, 
E'en  from  their  base.     They  therefore  having  wrought 
Deeds  evil,  now  are  suffering,  and  will  suffer 
Evil  not  less,  and  not  as  yet  is  seen  8W 

*E'en  the  bare  groundwork  of  the  ills,  but  still 

(1)  The  force  of  300,000  men  left  in  Greece  under  Mardonios,  (Herod, 
viii.  113,)  afterwards  defeated  at  Fliitaea. 

(2)  Comp.  the  speech  of  Mardonios  urging  his  plan  on  Xerxes,  (Herod, 
viii.  100.) 

(3)  This  was  of  course  a  popular  topic  with  the  Athenians,  whose  own 
temples  had  been  outraged.     Hut  other  sanctuaries  also,  the  temp  es  at 
Delphi  and  Abae  had  snared  the  same  fate,  and  these  sins  against  tha 
Gods  of  Hellas  were  naturally  connected  in  the  thought*  of  the  Greeks 
with  the  subsequent  disasters  of  the  Persians.     In  Egypt  these  outrage! 
had  an  iconoclastic  character.     In  Athens  they  were  a  retaliation  for  tha 
destruction  of  the  temple  at  Sardis,  (Herod,  v.  1U2.) 

D 


34  THE    PERSIANS. 


They  grow  up  to  completeness.     Such  a  stream 

Of  blood  and  slaughter  soon  shalf  flow  from  them 

By  Dorian  spear  upon  Platsean.  ground,1 

And  heaps  of  corpses  shall  to  children's  children, 

Though  speechless,  witness  to  the  eyes  of  men 

That  mortal  man  should  not  wax  overproud ; 

Per  wanton  pride  from  blossom  grows  to  fruit, 

The  full  corn  in  the  ear,  of  utter  woe, 

And  reaps  a  tear-fraught  harvest.     Seeing  then, 

Such  recompense  of  these  things,  cherish  well 

The  memory  of  Athens  and  of  Hellas ;  8ao 

Let  no  man  in  his  scorn  of  present  fortune, 

And  thirst  for  other,  mar  his  good  estate; 

Zeus  is  the  avenger  of  o'erlofty  thoughts, 

A  terrible  controller.     Therefore  now, 

Since  voice  of  God  bids  him  be  wise  of  heart, 

Admonish  him  with  counsel  true  and  good 

To  cease  his  daring  sacrilegious  pride  ; 

And  thou,  0  Xerxes'  mother,  old  and  dear, 

Go  to  thy  home,  and  taking  what  apparel 

Is  fitting,  go  to  meet  thy  son ;  for  all  *3° 

The  costly  robes  around  his  limbs  are  torn 

To  rags  and  shreds  in  grief's  wild  agony. 

But  do  thou  gently  soothe  his  soul  with  words ; 

For  he  to  thee  alone  will  deign  to  hearken; 

But  I  must  leave  the  earth  for  darkness  deep : 

And  ye,  old  men,  farewell,  although  in  woe, 

And  give  your  soul  its  daily  bread  of  joy; 

!For  to  the  dead  no  profit  bringeth  wealth. 

[Exit,  disappearing  in  the  earth. 

Chor,  I  shudder  as  I  hear  the  many  woes 
Both  past  and  present  that  on  Persians  fall. 

Atoss.  [0  God,  how  many  evils  fall  on  me  I  * 
And  yet  this  one  woe  biteth  more  than  all, 

(1°  Tho  reference  to  the  prominent  part  taken  by  the  Peloponnesion 
forces  in  the  battle  of  Tlatseee  is  probably  due  to  the  political  sympathies 
of  the  dramatist. 

(2)  The  speech  of  Atossa  is  rejected  byl'uley.on  internal  grounds,  afl 
ipuiious. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


Hearing  my  son's  shame  in  the  rags  of  robes 
That  clothe  his  limbs.     But  I  will  go  and  take 
A  fit  adornment  from  my  house,  and  try 
To  meet  my  son.     We  will  not  in  his  troubles 
Basely  abandon  him  whom  most  we  love.] 

STBOPH.  I. 
Chor.  Ah  me !  a  glorious  and  a  blessed  life 

Had  we  as  subjects  once, 

When  our  old  king,  Dareios,  ruled  the  land,  ** 

Meeting  all  wants,  dispassionate,  supreme, 
A  monarch  like  a  God. 

AOTISTBOPH.  I. 
For  first  we  showed  the  world  our  noble  hosts ; 

And  laws  of  tower-like  strength 
Directed  all  things ;  and  our  backward  march 
After  our  wars  unhurt,  unsuffering  led 

Our  prospering  armies  home. 

STBOPH.  IL 

How  many  towns  he  took, 

Not  crossing  Halys'  stream  *  ** 

Nor  issuing  from  his  home, 
There  where  in  Strymon's  sea, 
The  Acheloian  Isles  2 
Lie  near  the  coasts  of  Thrakian  colonies. 

AXTISTBOFII.  II. 

And  those  that  lie  outside  the  ./Egaean  main. 

The  cities  girt  with  towers, 

They  hearkened  to  our  king ; 

And  those  who  boast  their  site 

By  Helle's  full,  wide  stream, 
Propontis  with  its  bays,  and  mouth  of  Pontos  broad.    m 

(1)  Apparently  an  allusion  to  the  oracle  given  to  Croosos,  that  he,  if  he 
crossed  the  Halys,  should  destroy  a  gre;it  kingdom. 

(2)  The  name  originally  given  to  the  Echinades,  a  group  of  islands  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Acheloos,  was  applied  generically  to  all  islands  lying 
near  the  mouth  of  great  rivers,  and  here,  probably,  includes  linbroa. 
I'iiasos,  and  Saiuotlirake. 


36  THE    PERSIANS. 


BTBOPH.  III. 

And  all  the  isles  that  lie 
Facing  the  headland  jutting  in  the  sea,* 

Close  bound  to  this  our  coast ; 
Lesbos,  and  Samos  with  its  olive  groves; 

Chios  and  Paros  too  ; 
Naxos  and  Myconos,  and  Andros  too 

On  Tenos  bordering. 

ANTISTBOPH.  UL 

And  BO  he  ruled  the  isles 
That  lie  midway  between  the  continents, 

Lemnos,  and  Icaros, 
Ehodos  and  Cnidos  and  the  Eyprian  towns,  m 

Paphos  and  Soli  famed, 

And  with  them  Salamis, 
Whose  parent  city  now  our  groans  doth  cause ; ' 

EPODB. 

And  many  a  wealthy  town  and  populous, 
Of  Hellenes  in  the  Ionian  region  dwelling, 

He  by  his  counsel  ruled,; 
His  was  the  unconquered  strength  of  warrior  host, 

Allies  of  mingled  race. 

And  now,  beyond  all  doubt, 
In  strife  of  war  defeated  utterly, 

We  find  this  high  estate 

Through  wrath  of  God  o'erturned, 

And  we  are  smitten  low, 

By  bitter  loss  at  sea. 

Enter  XERXES  in  kingly  apparel,  lut  with  hit  robes  rent, 

with  Attendants. 
Xer.  Oh,  miserable  me  ! 

Who  this  dark  hateful  doom 
That  I  expected  least 

(1)  The  geography  is  somewhat  obsctrre,  but  the  words  seem  to  refer  to 
the  portion  of  the  islands  that  are  named  as  opposite  (in  a  southerly  direc- 
tion) to  the  promontory  of  the  Troad. 

(2)  Salamis  in  Kypros  had  been  colonised  byTeukros,  the  son  of  Aias, 
and  had  received  its  name  in  remembrance  of  the  island  in  the  Saroiue 
Onll. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


Have  met  with  as  my  lot, 

With  what  stern  mood  and  fierce 

Towards  the  Persian  race 

Is  God's  hand  laid  on  us ! 

What  woe  will  come  on  me  ? 

Gone  is  my  strength  of  limb, 

As  I  these  elders  see. 

Ah,  would  to  Heaven,  0  Zeus, 

That  with  the  men  who  fell 

Death's  doom  had  covered  me  I 
Ctuvr.  Ah,  woe,  O  king,  woe  !  woe ! 

For  the  army  brave  in  fight, 

And  our  goodly  Persian  name, 

And  the  fair  array  of  men, 

Whom  God  hath  now  cut  off ! 

And  the  land  bewails  its  youth 

Who  for  our  Xerxes  full, 

For  him  whose  deeds  have  filled 

*Hades  with  Persian  souls ; 

For  many  heroes  now 

*Are  Hades-travellers, 

Our  country's  chosen  flower, 

Mighty  with  darts  and  bow ; 

*For  lo  !  the  myriad  mass  "^ 

Of  men  has  perished  quite. 

Woe,  woe  for  our  fair  fame  I 

And  Asia's  land,  0  King, 
Is  terribly,  most  terribly,  o'erthrown. 
Xer.  I  then,  oh  misery  ! 

Have  to  my  curse  been  proved 
Sore  evil  to  my  country  and  my  race. 

Chor.  Yea,  and  on  thy  return 
I  will  lift  up  my  voice  in  wailing  loud, 

Cry  of  sore-troubled  thought, 

As  of  a  mourner  born 

In  Mariandynian  land,1  *• 

Lament  of  many  tears. 
(1)  The  Mariandynians,  a  JPaphlagoman  tribe,  conspicuous  for  their 


j8  THE    PERSIANS. 


AJTTISTBOPH.  I. 
Jfer.  Tea,  titter  ye  a  wail 

Dreary  and  full  of  grief; 
For  lo  !  the  face  of  Fate 
Against  me  now  is  turned. 
Chor.  Tea,  I  will  raise  a  cry 

Dreary  and  full  of  grief, 
Giving  this  tribute  due 
To  all  the  people's  woes, 
And  all  our  loss  at  sea, 
Troubles  of  this  our  State 
That  mourn  eth  for  her  sons  ; 
Tea,  I  will  wail  full  sore, 
"With  flood  of  bitter  tears. 

STROPH.  II. 

S.er,  For  Ares,  he  whose  might 
Was  in  our  ships'  array, 
Giving  victory  to  our  foes, 
Has  in  lonians,  yea, 
lonians,  found  his  match, 
And  from  the  dark  sea's  plain, 
And  that  ill-omened  shore, 
Has  a  fell  harvest  reaped. 
Chor.  Tea,  wail,  search  out  the  whole  ; 
Where  are  our  other  friends  ? 
Where  thy  companions  true, 
Such  as  Pharandakes, 
Susas,  Pelagon,  Psammis,  Dotamas, 
Agdabatas,  Susiskanes, 
From  Ecbatana  who  started  P 


.  II. 

JCcr.  I  left  them  low  in  death, 
Falling  from  Tyrian  ship, 
On  Salaminian  shores, 
Beating  now  here,  now  there, 
On  the  hard  rock-girt  coast. 

orgiastic  worship  of  Adonis,  bad  become  proverbial  for  the  wildneM  of 
tbeu  plaintive  dirges. 


THE    PERSIANS.  39 


Cher.  Ah,  where  Pharnuchos  then, 
And  Ariomardos  brave  ? 
And  where  Sevalkes  king, 
Lilsoos  proud  of  race, 
Memphis  and  Tharybis, 
Masistras,  and  Artembarea, 
Hystoechmas  ?    This  I  ask. 

STROPH.  HI. 

Xer.  Woe !  woe  is  me  ! 

They  have  looked  on  at  Athens'  ancient  towers, 
Her  hated  towers,  ah  me ! 
All,  as  by  one  fell  stroke, 
Unhappy  in  their  fate 
Lie  gasping  on  the  shore. 

Chor.  And  he,  thy  faithful  Eye,1  «• 

"Who  told  the  Persian  host, 
Myriads  on  myriads  o'er,* 
Alpistos,  son  and  heir 
Of  Batanochos  old 
***** 

And  the  son  of  brave  Sesames, 
Son  himself  of  Megabates. 
Parthos,  and  the  great  CEbares, 
Did'st  thou  leave  them,  did'st  thou  leave  them  P 
Ah,  woe  !  ah,  woe  is  me, 
For  those  unhappy  ones  ! 
Thou  to  the  Persians  brave 
Tellest  of  ills  on  ills. 

ANTISTBOPH.  III. 

Xer.  Ah,  thou  dost  wake  in  me 
The  memory  of  the  spell  of  yearning  love 
JFor  comrades  brave  and  true, 

(1)  The  name  seems  to  have  bpen  an  official  title  for  some  Inspector- 
General  of  the  Army.     Comp.  Aristoph.  Ac/tarn,  v.  92. 

(2)  As  in  the  account  which  Herodotos  gives  (vii.  60)  of  the  way  in 
which  the  army  of  Xerxes  was  numbered,  sc.,  by  enclosing  10,000  men  in 
a  given  space,  and  then  filling  it  again  and  again  till  the  whole  array  had 
passed  through. 


THE    PERSIANS. 


Telling  of  cursed  ills, 

Yea,  cursed,  hateful  doom ; 

And  lo,  within  my  frame 

My  heart  cries  out,  cries  out. 
Chor.  Yea,  another  too  we  long  for, 

Xanthes,  captain  of  ten  thousand 

Mardian  warriors,  and  Anchares 

Arian  born,  and  great  Arsakes 

And  Diaexis,  lords  of  horsemen, 

Kigdagatas  and  Lythhnnas, 

Tolmos,  longing  for  the  battle : 

*Much  I  marvel,  much  I  marvel,1 

For  they  come  not,  as  the  rear-guard 

Of  thy  tent  on  chariot  mounted.2 

STBOPH.  IV. 

Xer.  Gone  those  rulers  of  the  army. 
Char.  Gone  are  they  in  death  inglorious. 
X er.  Ah  woe !  ah  woe  !    Alas  !  alas  I 
Chor.  Ah !  the  Gods  have  sent  upon  us 

111  we  never  thought  to  look  on, 

Eminent  above  all  others  ; 

Ne'er  hath  Ate  seen  its  equal. 

AXTISTBOPH.  IV. 

Smitten  we  by  many  sorrows, 

Such,  as  come  on  men  but  seldom. 
Chor.  Smitten  we,  'tis  all  too  certain.  .  . 
Xer.  Fresh  woes  !  fresh,  woes  !  ah  me  I 
Chor.  Now  with  adverse  turn  of  fortune, 

With  Ionian  seamen  meeting, 

Fails  in  war  the  race  of  Persians. 

STBOPH.  V. 
Xer.  Too  true.    Yea  I  and  that  vast  host  of  mine 

Are  smitten  down. 

(1)  Another  reading  gives— 

"  They  are  buried,  they  are  buried." 

(2)  Perhaps  referring  to  the  waggon-chariots  in  which  the  rider  re- 
elined  at  ease,  either  protected  by  a  canopy,  or,  as  in  the  Assyrian  sculp- 
tures and  perhaps  in  the  East  generally,  overshadowed  by  a  large  umbreUf 
which  an  cuuuci  holds  over  him. 


THE    PERSIANS.  4! 

Chor.  Too  true — the  Persians'  majesty  and  might 

Have  perished  utterly. 

Xer.  Sees' t  thou  this  remnant  of  my  armament  ? 
Chor.  I  see  it,  yea,  I  see.  1001 

Xer.  (pointing  to  his  quiver.}  Dost  see  thou  that  which 

arrows  wont  to  hold  ?.  .  . 
Chor.  "What  speak'st  thou  of  as  saved  P 
Xer.  This  treasure-store  for  darts. 
Chor.  Few,  few  of  many  left  I 
Xer.  Thus  we  all  helpers  lack. 
CJwr.  Ionian  soldiers  flee  not  from  the  spear. 

AjrnsTBOPH.  V. 

Xer.  Tea,  very  bravo  are  they,  and  I  Have  seen 

Unlooked-for  woe. 
Chor.  Wilt  tell  of  squadron  of  our  sea-hor^e  ships 

Defeated  utterly  ? 

Xer.  I  tore  my  robes  at  this  calamity. 
Chor.  Ah  me,  ah  me,  ah  me !  *•• 

Xer.  Ay,  more  than  all '  ah  me's '  I 
Chor.  Two-fold  and  three-fold  ilia  I 
Xer.  Grievous  to  us — but  joy, 

Great  joy,  to  all  our  foes ! 
Chor.  Lopped  off  is  all  our  strength* 
Xer.  Stripped  bare  of  escort  1 1 
Chor.  Tea,  by  sore  loss  at  sea 

Disastrous  to  thy  friends. 

STBOPH.  VL 

Xer.  Weep  for  our  sorrow,  weep, 

Tea,  go  ye  to  the  house. 
Chor  Woe  for  our  griefs,  woe,  woe  I 
Xer.  Cry  out  an  echoing  cry. 

Chor.  Ill  gift  of  ills  on  ills.  «• 

Xer.  Weep  on  in  wailing  chant. 
Chor.  Oh!  ah!  Oh!  ah! 
Xer.  Grievous  our  bitter  woes. 
Chor.  Ah  me,  I  mourn  them  son* 


THE    PERSIANS. 


AvnsTBOPH.  VL 

Xer.  Ply,  ply  your  hands  and  groan  ; 

Tea,  for  my  sake  bewail 
Chor.  I  weep  in  bitter  grief. 
Xer.  Cry  out  an  echoing  cry. 
Chor.  Yea,  we  may  raise  our  voice, 

0  Lord  and  King,  in  wail. 
Xer.  Eaise  now  shrill  cry  of  woe. 

Chor.  Ah  me  !  Ah  !  "Woe  is  me  !  .        **• 

Xer.  Yea,  with  it  mingle  dark.  .  .  .  • 
Chor.  And  bitter,  grievous  blows. 

STBOPH.  VII. 
Xer.  Tea,  beat  thy  breast,  and  cry 

After  the  Mysian  type. 
Chor.  Oh,  misery  !  oh,  misery  ! 
Xer.  Yea,  tear  the  white  hair  off  thy  flowing  beard. 
Chor.  Yea  ;  with  clenched  hands,  with  clenched  hands, 
I  say, 

In  very  piteous  guise. 
Xer.  Cry  out,  cry  out  aloud. 
Chor.  That  also  will  I  do. 

AXTISTBOPH.  VU, 

Xer.  And  with  thy  fingers  tear 

Thy  bosom's  folded  robe. 
Chor.  Oh,  misery  !  oh,  misery  ! 
Xer.  Yea,  tear  thy  hair  in  wailing  for  our  host. 
Chor.  Yea,  with  clenched  hands,  I  say,  with  clenched 
hands, 

In  very  piteous  guise. 
Xer.  Be  thine  eyes  wet  with  tears. 
Chor.  Behold  the  tears  stream  down. 


Xer.  Eaise  a  re-echoing  cry. 

Chor.  Ah  woe  !  ah  woe  ! 

Xer.  Go  to  thy  home  with  wailing  loud  and  long. 

Chor.  0  land  of  Persia,  full  of  lamentations  ! 


THE    PERSIANS.  43 

Xer.  Through  the  town  raise  your  cries. 
Chor.  We  raise  them,  yea,  we  raise.  "^ 

Xer.  Wail,  wail,  ye  men  that  walked  so  daintily. 
Chor.  O  land  of  Persia,  full  of  lamentations  I 

Woe ;  woe ! 

Xer.  Alas  for  those  who  in  the  triremes  perished  * 
Cher.  With,  broken  cries  of  woe  will  I  escort  thee. 

[Exeunt  in  procession,  wailing,  and 
rtnding  their  rubet. 


THE  SEVEN  WHO  FOUGHT  AGAINST 
THEBES 


ARGUMENT. 

When  (Edti'piis  Icing  of  Thebes  discovered  that  he  had  unknowingly 
been  the  murderer  of  his  father,  and  had  lived  in  incest  with 
his  mother,  he  blinded  himself.  And  his  two  sons,  Eteocles  and 
folyneiftes,  wishing  to  banish  the  remembrance  of  these  horrors 
from  the  eyes  of  men,  at  first  kept  him  in  confinement.  And 
he,  being  wroth  with  them,  prayed  that  they  might  divide  their 
inheritance  with  the  sword.  And  they,  in  fear  lest  the  prayer 
should  be  accomplished,  agreed  to  reign  in  turn,  each  for  a  year, 
and  Eteocles,  as  the  elder  of  the  two,  took  the  first  turn.  But 
wJien  at  the  end  of  the  year  Polyneikes  came  to  ask  for  the  king- 
dom, Eteocles  refused  to  give  way,  and  sent  him  away  empty.  So 
Polt/neikes  went  to  Argos  and  married  the  daughter  of  Adrastos 
the  king  of  that  country,  and  gathered  together  a  great  army 
under  six  great  captains,  himself  coming  as  the  seventh,  and  led 
it  against  Tliebes.  And  so  tJtey  compassed  it  about,  and  at 
each  of  the  seven  gates  of  the  city  teas  statiored  one  of  th* 
divisions  of  tlie  army. 

Hote.—Tht  Sfven  against  Thtbu  appears  to  have  been  produced  B.O.  <T3, 
tie  year  after  The  Pennant. 


gramatts 

ETEOCLES. 
Scout. 

ISMENE. 
ANT1GON3. 

Herald. 

Chorut  of  Theban  Maidf**. 


THE  SEVEN  WHO  FOUGHT  AGAINST 
THEBES. 


SCENE. — Thebes  in  front  of  the  Acropolis. 

Enter  ETEOCLES,  and  crowd  o/Theban  Citizens. 

Eteoc.  Ye  citizens  of  Cadmoa,  it  behoves 
That  one  who  standeth  at  the  stern  of  State 
Guiding  the  helm,  with  eyes  unclosed  in  sleep, 
Should  speak  the  things  that  meet  occasion's  need. 
For  should  we  prosper,  God  gets  all  the  praise : 
But  if  (which  God  forbid !)  disaster  falls, 
Eteocles,  much  blame  on  one  head  falling, 
Would  find  his  name  the  by- word  of  the  State,1 
Sung  in  the  slanderous  ballads  of  the  town  ; 
Yes,  and  with  groanings,  which  may  Zeus  the  Avertor, 
True  to  his  name,  from  us  Cadmeians  turn ! 
But  now  'tis  meet  for  all,  both  him  who  fails 
Of  full-grown  age,  and  him  advanced  in  years, 
Yet  boasting  still  a  stalwart  strength  of  frame, 
And  each  in  life's  full  prime,  as  it  is  fit, 
The  State  to  succour  and  the  altars  here 
Of  these  our  country's  Gods,  that  never  more 
Their  votive  honours  cease, — to  help  our  sons, 
And  Earth,  our  dearest  mother  and  kind  nurse ; 
For  she,  when  young  ye  crept  her  kindly  plain, 
Bearing  the  whole  charge  of  your  nourishment, 
Beared  you  as  denizens  that  bear  the  shield, 

(1)  Probably  directed  against  the  tendency  of  the  Athenians,  M 
•hown  in  their  treatment  of  Jliltiades,  and  later  in  that  of  Thukydidec 
to  punish  Uieir  unsuccessful  generals,  "  pour  ctxaurager  Us  autra." 

Jt 


50  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

That  ye  should  trusty  prove  in  this  her  need.  " 

And  now  thus  far  God  turns  the  scale  for  us ; 

For  unto  us,  beleaguered  those  long  days, 

War  doth  in  most  things  with  God's  help  speed  well, 

But  now,  as  saith  the  seer,  the  augur  skilled,1 

Watching  with  ear  and  mind,  apart  from  fire, 

The  birds  oracular  with  mind  unerring, 

He,  lord  and  master  of  these  prophet-arta, 

Says  that  the  great  attack  of  the  Achseans 

This  very  night  is  talked  of,  and  their  plots 

Devised  against' the  town.     But  ye,  haste  all 

Unto  the  walls  and  gateways  of  the  forts ;  • 

Hush  ye  full-armed,  and  fill  the  outer  space, 

And  stand  upon  the  platlbrnis  of  the  towers, 

And  at  the  entrance  of  the  gates  abiding 

Bo  of  good  cheer,  nor  fear  ye  overmuch 

The  host  of  aliens.     "Well  will  God  work  all. 

And  I  have  sent  my  scouts  and  watchers  forth. 

And  trust  their  errand  is  no  fruitless  one. 

I  shall  not,  hearing  them,  bo  caught  with  guile. 

\_Kxeuid  Citizens. 
Enter  one  of  the  Scouts. 

Mess.  King  of  Cadmeians,  great  Eteoclos, 
I  from  the  army  come  with  tidings  clear,  * 

And  am  myself  eye-witness  of  its  acts ; 
For  seven  brave  warriors,  leading  armed  bands, 
Cutting  a  bull's  throat  o'er  a  black-rimmed  shield, 
And  dipping  in  the  bull's  blood  with  their  hands, 
Swore  before  Ares,  Enyo,2  murderous  Fear, 
That  they  would  bring  destruction  on  our  town, 
And  trample  under  foot  the  tower  of  Cadmos, 
Or  dying,  with  their  own  blood  stain  our  soil; 
And  they  memorials  for  their  sires  at  home 
Placed  with  their  hands  upon  Adrastos'  car,3  ** 

(1)  Teiresias,  ns  in  Sophocles,  (Antig.  v.  1005,)  sitting,  thonph  Wind, 
And  listening,  as  the  birds  flit  by  him,  and  the  flames  burn  steadily  or 
fitfully ;  u  various  reading  gives  "  apart  from  sight." 

(2)  Enyo,  the  goddess  of  war,  and  companion  ~f  Ares. 

(3)  Aiuphiaraos  the  seer  had  prophesied  that  Adrastoa  alone  should 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 


Weeping,  but  no  wail  uttering  with  their  lipa, 

For  courage  iron-hearted  breathed  out  fire 

In  manliness  unconquered,  as  when  lions 

Flash,  battle  from  their  eyeballs.     And  report 

Of  these  things  does  not  linger  on  the  way. 

I  left  them  casting  lots,  that  each  might  take, 

As  the  lot  fell,  his  station  at  the  gate. 

Wherefore  do  thou  our  city's  chosen  ones 

Array  with  speed  at  entrance  of  the  gates  ; 

For  near  already  is  the  Argive  host, 

Marching  through  clouds  of  dust,  and  whitening  foam   ** 

Spots  all  the  plain  with  drops  from  horses'  mouths. 

And  thou,  as  prudent  helmsman  of  the  ship, 

Guard  thou  our  fortress  ere  the  blasts  of  Ares 

Swoop  on  it  wildly  ;  for  there  comes  the  roar 

Of  the  land-  wave  of  armies.     And  do  thou 

Seize  for  these  things  the  swiftest  tide  and  time; 

And  I,  in  all  that  comes,  will  keep  my  eye 

As  faithful  sentry  ;  so  through  speech  full  clear, 

Thou,  knowing  all  things  yonder,  shalt  be  safe. 

[Exit. 

Eteoc.  O  Zeus  and  Earth,  and  all  ye  guardian  Gods  I 
Thou  Curse  and  strong  Erinnys  of  my  sire  !  w 

Destroy  ye  not  my  city  root  and  branch, 
With  sore  destruction  smitten,  one  whose  voice 
Is  that  of  Hellas,  nor  our  hearths  and  homes  ;  * 
Grant  that  they  never  hold  in  yoke  of  bondage 
Our  country  free,  and  town  of  Cadmos  named; 
But  be  ye  our  defence.     I  deem  I  speak 
Of  what  concerns  us  both  ;  for  still  'tis  true, 
A  prosperous  city  honours  well  the  Gods. 


Enter  Chorus  of  Theban  Maidens  in  solemn  procession  At 

suppliants. 
Chor.  ~L  in  wild  terror  utter  cries  of  woe  ; 

return  home  in  safoty.  On  his  car,  therefore,  the  other  chieftains  him* 
the  clasps,  or  locks  of  hair,  or  other  memorials  which  in  the  event  oi 
their  death  were  to  be  taken  to  their  parents. 

(1)  The  Hellenic  feeling,  such   as   the  Flatteans  appealed  to  in  tb« 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST  THEBES. 


An  army  leaves  its  camp  and  is  let  loose  : 

Either  the  vanguard  of  the  horsemen  flowa,  ** 

And  the  thick  cloud  of  dust, 

That  suddenly  is  seen, 

Dumb  herald,  yet  full  clear, 

Constrains  me  to  believe  ; 
And  smitten  with  the  horses'  hoofs,  the  plain 
Of  this  my  country  rings  with  noise  of  war  ; 

It  floats  and  echoes  round, 
Like  voice  of  mountain  torrent  dashing  down 

Resistless  in  its  might. 

Ah  Gods  !  Ah  Goddesses  I 

Ward  off  the  coming  woe. 
With  battle-shout  that  rises  o'er  the  walls, 

The  host  whose  shields  are  white  1  * 

Marches  in  full  array  against  our  city. 

Who  then,  of  all  the  Gods 
Or  Goddesses,  will  come  to  help  and  save  P 
Say,  shall  I  fall  before  the  shrines  of  Goda  P 

O  blessed  Ones  firm  fixed  ! 
'Tis  time  to  clasp  your  sacred  images. 
Why  linger  we  in  wailing  overmuch  ? 
Hear  ye,  or  hear  ye  not,  the  din  of  shields  P 

When,  if  not  now,  shall  we 

Engage  in  prayer  with  peplos  and  with  boughs  P  * 
I  hear  a  mighty  sound  ;  it  is  the  din  ** 

Not  of  a  single  spear. 
O  Ares  !  ancient  guardian  of  our  land  I 
What  wilt  thou  do  ?    Wilt  thou  betray  thy  land  ? 

O  God  of  golden  casque, 

Peloponnesian  war,  {Thuc.  iii.  58,  59,)  that  it  was  noble  and  right  fof 
Hellenes  to  destroy  a  city  ot  the  barbariiins,  but  that  they  should  spare 
one  belonging  to  n  people  of  their  iwn  stock. 

(1)  The  characteristic  featili  e  of  •she  Argive  soldiers  was,  that  they  bore 
a  shield  painted  white,   (comp.  Sophocles,  Antig.  v.   114.)    The  leaders 
alone  appear  to  have  embellished  this  with  devices  and  mottoes. 

(2)  In  solemn  supplications,  the  litanies  of  the  ancient  world,  especially 
in  those  to  Pallas,  the  suppliants  carried  with  them  in  procession  the 
shawl  or  ptploa  of  the  Goddess,  and  with  it  enwrapt  her  statue.    To  carry 
boughs  of  trees  in  the  hands  was  one  of  the  uniform,  probably  indiapens- 
»ble,  accompaniments  of  such  procession*. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST   THEBES.  5J 

Look  on  our  city,  yea,  with  favour  look, 

The  city  thou  did'st  love. 
And  ye,  ye  Gods  who  o'er  the  city  rule. 

Come  all  of  you,  come  all. 
Behold  the  band  of  maidens  suppliant, 

In  fear  of  bondage  foul ; 

For  now  around  the  town 
The  wave  of  warriors  bearing  sloped  crestg, 
With  blasts  of  Ares  rushing,  hoarsely  sounds :  * 

But  thou,  O  Zeus  !  true  father  of  us  all, 
Ward  off,  ward  off  our  capture  by  the  foe. 

STBOPH.  L 

For  Argives  now  surround  the  town  of  Cadmos, 
And  dread  of  Ares'  weapons  falls  on  us ; 

And,  bound  to  horses'  mouths, 
The  bits  and  curbs  ring  music  as  of  death ; 
And  seven  chief  rulers  of  the  mighty  host, 
With  warriors'  arms,  at  each  of  seven  tall  gates, 

Spear- armed  and  harnessed  all, 

Stand,  having  cast  their  lots. 

****•• 

MESODB. 

And  thou,  0  Zeus-born  power  in  war  delighting,  ** 

O  Pallas !  be  our  city's  saviour  now : 

And  Thou  who  curb'st  the  steed, 

Great  King  of  Ocean's  waves, 
Poseidon,  with  thy  trident  fish-spear  armed,1 
Give  respite  from  our  troubles,  respite  give ! 
And  Thou,  0  Ares,  guard  the  town  that  takes 

Its  name  from  Cadmos  old,8 

Watch  o'er  it  visibly. 

(1)  The  word*  recall  our  thoughts  to  the  original  use  of  the  trident, 
which  became  afterwards  a  symbol  of  Poseidon,  as  employed  by  the  sailor* 
of  Hellas  to  spear  or  harpoon  the  larger  fish  of  the  Archipelago.    Comp. 
Pert.  v.  426,  where  the  slaughter  of  a  defeated  army  is  compared  to  tunny- 
fishing. 

(2)  Cadmos,  probably  "  the  man  from  the  East,"  the  Phoenician  who 
hod  founded  Thebes,  and  sown  the  dragon's  seed,  and  taught  men  a 
Semitic  alphabet  for  the  non-Semitic  speech  of  Hellas. 


54  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

AjrrisTROPH.  I. 

And  them,  0  Kypris,  of  our  race  the  mother, 
Ward  off  these  ills,  for  we  are  thine  by  blood : 

To  thee  in  many  a  prayer, 
"With  voice  that  calls  upon  the  Gods  we  cry, 
And  unto  thee  draw  near  as  suppliants  : 
And  Thou,  Lykeian  king,  Lykeian  be,1 

Foe  of  our  hated  foes, 

For  this  our  wailing  cry ; 
And  Thou,  O  child  of  Leto,  Artemis, 

Make  ready  now  thy  tow. 
STBOPH.  II. 
Ah !  ah !  I  hear  a  din  of  chariot  wheels 

Around  the  city  walls  ; 

0  Hera  great  and  dread  I 
The  heavy  axles  of  the  chariots  groan,  ** 

O  Artemis  beloved  ! 
And  the  air  maddens  with  the  clash  of  spears; 

What  must  our  city  bear  ? 

What  now  shall  come  on  us  ? 

When  will  God  give  the  end  ? 

AXTISTROPH.  II. 

Ah!  ah  !  a  voice  of  stones  is  falling  fast 

On  battlements  attacked;  a 

O  Lord,  Apollo  loved, 
A  din  of  bronze-bound  shields  is  in  the  gates  ; 

And  oh  !  that  Zeus  may  give  M> 

A  faultless  issue  of  this  war  we  wage  I 

And  Thou,  O  blessed  queen, 

As  Guardian  Oiica  known,5 

Save  thy  seven-gated  seat. 

(1)  "Worthy  of  his  name  a*  the  Wolf-destroyer,  mighty  to  destroy  hi» 
foes. 

(2)  Possibiv,  ".from  battlements  attacked."    In  the  primitive  siegei 
of  (jreek  warfare  stones  were  used  as  missiles  alike  by  besieged  and  be- 
eie:rers. 

(3)  The  name  of  Onca  belonged  especially  to  the  The!  an  worship  oi 
Pallas,  and  was  said  to  have  been  of  Phtmikian  origin,  introduced  by 
Cadmos.    There  seems,  however,  to  have  been  a  town  Onkee  in  Bujotia, 
with  which  the  name  was  doubtless  connected. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST   THEBES.  55 

STBOPH.  HL 

And  ye,  all-working  Gods, 

Of  either  sex  divine, 

Protectors  of  our  towers, 
Give  not  our  city,  captured  by  the  spear, 

To  host  of  alien  speech.1 

Hear  ye  our  maidens  ;  hear, 
As  is  most  meet,  our  prayers  with  outstretched  hands. 

AUTISTT.OPH.  ILL. 

O  all  ye  loving  Powers, 

Compass  our  State  to  save ; 

Show  bow  that  State  ye  love ; 
Think  on  our  public  votive  offerings, 

And  as  ye  think,  oh,  help  : 

Be  mindful  ye,  I  pray, 
Of  all  our  city's  rites  of  sacrifice. 

Re-enter  ETEOCLES. 

Eteoc.  (to  the  Chorus.}  I  ask  you,  O  ye  brood  intoler- 
able, 

Is  this  course  best  and  safest  for  our  city  ? 
"Will  it  give  heart  to  our  beleaguered  host. 
That  ye  before  the  forms  of  guardian  Gods 
Should  wail  and  howl,  ye  loathed  of  the  wise;* 
Ne'er  be  it  mine,  in  ill  estate  or  good, 
To  dwell  together  with  the  race  of  women ; 
For  when  they  rule,  their  daring  bars  approach, 
And  when  they  fear,  alike  to  house  and  State 
Comes  greater  ill :  and  now  with  these  your  mshings 
Hither  and  thither,  ye  have  troubled  sore 
Our  subjects  with  a  coward  want  of  heart ; 

(1)  "  Alien,"  on  account  of  the  difference  of  dialect  between  the  speech 
of  Argos  and  that  of  Boeptia,  though  both  were  Hellenic. 

(2)  The  vehemence  with  which  Eteocles  reproves  the  wild  frenzied 
wailing  of  the  Chorus  may  be  taken  as  an  element  of  the  higher  cuUtira 
showing  itself  in  Athenian  life,  which  led  Solon  to  restrain  such  lamenta- 
tions by  special  laws,   (Plutarch,  Solon,  c.  20.)    Here,  teo,  we  note  io 
.<£.-  chylos  an  echo  of  the  teaching  of  -Lpirnenidea. 


56  THE    SEVEN   AGAINST    THEBES. 

And  do  your  best  for  those  our  foes  without ;  ** 

And  we  are  harassed  by  ourselves  within. 

This  comes  to  one  who  dwells  with  womankind. 

And  if  there  be  that  will  not  own  my  sway, 

Or  man  or  woman  in  their  prime,  or  those 

"Who  can  be  classed  with  neither,  they  shall  take 

Their  trial  for  their  life,  nor  shall  they  'scape 

The  fate  of  stoning.     Things  outdoors  are  still 

The  man's  to  look  to  :  let  not  woman  counsel. 

Stay  thou  within,  and  do  no  mischief  more. 

Hear'st  thou,  or  no  ?  or  i-poak  I  to  the  deaf? 

.  STROPH.  I. 

Chor.  Dear  son  of  (Edipus,  •* 

I  shuddered  as  I  heard  the  din,  the  din 

Of  many  a  chariot's  noise, 
When  on  the  axles  creaked  the  whirling  wheels, 

*And  when  1  .aeard  the  sound 

*0f  fire-wrought  curbs  within  the  horses'  mouths. 
Eteoc.  "What  then  ?    Did  ever  yet  the  sailor  flee 
From  stern  to  stein,  and  find  deliverance  so, 
While  his  ship  laboured  in  the  ocean's  wave  ?  * 

ANTISTROPIT.  I. 

Chor.  Nay,  to  the  ancient  forms 
Of  mighty  Powers  I  rushed,  as  trusting  Gods ; 

And  when  behind  the  gates 
Was  heard  the  crash  of  fierce  and  pelting  storm,  ** 

Then  was  it,  in  my  fear, 
I  prayed  the  Blessed  Ones  to  guard  our  city. 
Eteoc.  Pray  that  our  towers  hold  out  'gainst  spear  of 

foes.* 
Chor.  Do  not  the  Gods  grant  these  things  ? 

(1)  As  now  the  sailor  of  the  Mediterranean  turns  to  the  irnnpe  of  his 
patron  saint,  so  of  old  he  ran  in  his  distress  to  the  figure  of  his  Crod  upon 
the  prow  of  his  ship,  (often,  as  in  Acts  xxviii.  11,  that  of  the  Dioscuri,) 
and  called  to  it  for  deliverance,  (comp.  Jonah  i.  8.) 

(2)  Eteocles  seems  to  wish  for  a  short,  plain  prayer  for  deliveranoq, 
instead  of  the  cries  and  supplications  and  vam  repetitions  of  the  Chorus. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  57 

fteoc.  Nay,  the  Goda, 

Bo  say  they,  leave  the  captured  city's  walls.1 

STBOPH.  EL 

Chor.  Ah  !  never  in  my  life 
May  all  this  goodly  company  of  Gods 

Depart ;  nor  may  I  see 
This  city  scene  of  rushings  to  and  fro, 
*And  hostile  army  burning  it  with  fire  I 

Eteoc.  Nay,  call  not  on  the  Gods  with  counsel  base ; 
Obedience  is  the  mother  of  success, 
Child  strong  to  save.     Tis  thus  the  saying  runs, 

ANTISTBOPH.  H. 

CJior.  True  is  it ;  but  the  Gods 
Have  yet  a  mightier  power,  and  oftentimes, 

In  pressure  of  sore  ill, 
It  raises  one  perplexed  from  direst  woe, 
When  dark  clouds  gather  thickly  o'er  his  eyes. 

Eteoc.  'Tis  work  of  men  to  offer  sacrifice 
And  victims  to  the  Gods,  when  foes  press  hard ; 
Thine  to  be  dumb  and  keep  within  the  house. 

BTKOPH.  III. 

Chor.  'Tis  through  the  Gods  we  live 
In  city  unsubdued,  and  that  our  towers 
"Ward  off  the  multitude  of  jealous  foes. 
What  Power  will  grudge  us  this  ? 

Eteoc.  I  grudge  not  your  devotion  to  the  Gods ; 
But  lest  you  make  my  citizens  faint-hearted 
Be  tranquil,  nor  to  fear's  excess  give  way. 

(1)  The  thought  thns  expressed  was,  that  the  Gods,  yielding:  to  the 
mightier  law  of  destiny,  or  in  their  wrath  at  the  guilt  of  men,  left 
the  city  before  its  capture.  The  feeling  was  all  but  universal.  Its  two 
representative  instances  are  found  in  Virgil,  ^E/i.  351 — 

"  Excessere  omnes  adytis  arisque  relictis 
Di  quibus  imperium  hoc  steterat ; " 

and  the  narrative  given  alike  by  Tacitus,  (flisl.  v.  13,)  and  Josephni 
(Brll.  J'td.  vi.  5,  8,)  that  the  cry  "Let  us  depart  hence,"  was  heard  at 
midnight  through  the  courU  of  the  Temple,  before  the  destruction  at 
Jerusalem. 


58  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST   THEBES. 

ANTISTBOPH.  HI. 

Chor.  Hearing  but  now  a  din 
Strange,  wildly  mingled,  I  with  shrinking  fear 
Here  to  our  city's  high  Acropolis, 

Time-hallowed  spot,  have  come  •*• 

Etcoc.  Nay,  if  ye  hear  of  wounded  men  or  dying, 
Bear  them  not  swiftly  off  with  wailing  loud ; 
*For  blood  of  men  is  Area'  chosen  food.1 

Chor.  Hark  !  now  I  hear  the  panting  of  the  steeds. 
Eteoc.  Clear  though  thou  hear,  yet  hear  not  overmuch. 
Chor.  Lo !    from  its  depths  the  fortress  groans,   be- 
leaguered. 

Eteoc.  It  is  enough  that  I  provide  for  this. 
Chor.  I  fear  :  the  din  increases  at  the  gates. 
Eteoc.  Be  still,  say  nought  of  these  things  in  the  city. 
Chor.  O  holy  Band  !  2  desert  ye  not  our  towers.          *** 
Eteoc.  A  curse  fall  on  thee  !  wilt  thou  not  be  still  ? 
Chor.  Gods  of  my  city,  from  the  slave's  lot  save  me  I 
Eteoc.  'Tis  thou  enslav'st  thyself  and  all  thy  city. 
Chor.  Oh,   turn   thy  darts,    great  Zeus,  against  our 

foes! 
Eteoc.  Oh,  Zeus,  what  race  of  women  thou  hast  given 

us ! 

Chor.  A  sorry  race,  like  men  whose  city  falls. 
Eteoc.  What  ?   Cling  to  these  statues,  yet  speak  words 

of  ill? 

Chor.  Fear  hurries  on  my  tongue  in  want  of  courage. 
Eieoc.  Could'st  thou  but  grant  one  small  boon  at  my 


prayer 


Chor.  Speak  it  out  quickly,  and  I  soon  shall  know. 

Eteoc.  Be  still,  poor  fool,  and  frighten  not  thy  friends. 

Chor.  Still  am  I,  and  with  others  bear  our  fate. 

Eteoc.  These  words  of  thine  I  much  prefer  to  those  • 
And  further,  though  no  longer  at  the  shrines, 
Pray  thou  for  victory,  that  the'  Gods  fight  with  us  . 

(1)  Se.,  Blood  must  be  shed  in  war.    Ares  would  not  be  Ares  without 
it.    It  is  better  to  take  it  as  it  comes. 

(2)  Sc.,  the  company  of  Gods,  Pallas,  Hera  and  the  others  whom  the 
Chorus  had  invoked. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  59 

And  when  my  prayers  thou  hearest,  then  do  thou 

Raise  a  loud,  welcome,  holy  paean-shout, 

The  Hellenes'  wonted  ciy  at  sacrifice ; 

So  cheer  thy  friends,  and  check  their  fear  of  foes; 

And  I  unto  our  country's  guardian  Gods,  ** 

Who  hold  the  plain  or  watch  the  agora, 

The  springs  of  Dirke,  and  Ismenos'  stream  ;-— 

If  things  go  well,  and  this  our  city's  saved,—- 

I  vow  that  staining  with  the  blood  of  sheep 

The  altar-hearths  of  Gods,  or  slaying  bulls, 

We'll  fix  our  trophies,  and  our  foemen's  robes 

On  the  spear's  point  on  consecrated  walls, 

Before  the  shrines  I'll  hang.1     Pray  thou  this  prayer, 

Not  weakly  wailing,  nor  with  vain  wild  sobs, 

For  no  whit  more  thou'lt  'scape  thy  destined  lot :  "* 

And  I  six  warriors,  with  myself  as  seventh, 

Against  our  foes  in  full  state  like  their  own, 

Will  station  at  the  seren  gates'  entrances, 

Ere  hurrying  heralds  and  swift-rushing  words 

Come  and  inflame  them  in  the  stress  of  need.  [Exit. 

BTBOPH.  I. 
Chor.  My  heart  is  full  of  care  and  knows  not  sleep, 

By  panic  fear  o'ercome ; 

And  troubles  throng  my  soul, 

And  set  a-glow  my  dread 
Of  the  great  host  encamped  around  our  walls, 

As  when  a  trembling  dove 

Fears,  for  her  callow  brood,  ** 

The  snakes  that  come,  ill  mates  for  her  soft  nest ; 

For  some  upon  our  towers 
March  in  full  strength  of  mingled  multitude ; 

And  what  will  me  befall  ? 
And  others  on  our  men  on  either  hand 

Hurl  rugged  blocks  of  stone. 

(1)  Reference  to  this  custom,  •which  has  passed  from  Papnn  temple* 
into  Christian  churches,  is  found  in  the  Agamemnon,  v.  662.  It  was 
connected,  of  course,  with  the  general  practice  of  offering1  as  ex  votot 
any  personal  ornaments  or  clothing  as  a  token  of  thanksgiving  for  special 
mercies. 


THE    SEVKN    AGAINST   THESES. 


In  every  way,  ye  Zeus-born  Gods,  defend 
The  city  and  the  host 
That  Cadmos  claim  as  sire. 

ANTISTBOPH.  I. 
What  better  land  will  ye  receive  for  this, 

If  ye  to  foes  resign 

This  rich  and  fertile  clime, 

And  that  Dirksean  stream, 
Goodliest  of  founts  by  great  Poseidon  sent 

Who  circleth  earth,  or  those 

Who  Tethys  parent  call?1 
And  therefore,  O  ye  Gods  that  guard  our  city, 

Sending  on  those  without 
Our  towers  a  woe  that  robs  men  of  their  life, 

And  makes  them  lose  their  shield, 
Gain  glory  for  these  countrymen  of  mine  ; 

And  take  your  standing-ground, 
As  saviours  of  the  city,  firm  and  true, 

In  answer  to  our  cry 

Of  wailing  and  of  prayer. 

STBOPH.  IL 
For  sad  it  were  to  hurl  to  Hades  dark 

A  city  of  old  fame, 

The  spoil  and  prey  of  war, 
With  foulest  shame  in  dust  and  ashes  laid, 
By  an  Achaean  foe  at  God's  decree  ; 
And  that  our  women,  old  and  young  alike, 

Be  dragged  away,  ah  me .' 

Like  horses,  by  their  hair 

Their  robes  torn  off  from  them. 
And  lo,  the  city  wails,  made  desolate, 

While  with  confused  cry 
The  vrretched  prisoners  meet  doom  worse  than  death. 

Ah,  at  this  grievous  fate 

I  shudder  ere  it  comes. 

(I)  Siren  and  stream*  as  the  childra  of  Tethys  and  Okeaaoc. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THESES.  6l 


AjtTISTBOPH.  EL. 

And  piteous  'tis  for  those  whose  youth,  is  fresh, 

Before  the  rites  that  cull 

Their  fair  arid  first-ripe  fruit, 
To  take  a  hateful  journey  from  their  homes. 
Nay,  but  I  say  the  dead  far  better  far  a 
Than  these,  for  when  a  city  is  subdued 

It  bears  full  many  an  ill. 

This  man  takes  prisoner  that, 

Or  slays,  or  burns  with  fire ; 
And  all  the  city  is  denied  with  smoke, 

And  Ares  fans  the  flame 
In  wildest  rage,  and  laying  many  low, 

Tramples  with  foot  unclean 

On  all  men  sacred  hold. 

STBOPH.  III. 

And  hollow  din  is  heard  throughout  the  town, 

Hemmed  in  by  net  of  towers ; 
And  man  by  man  is  slaughtered  with  the  spear, 

And  cries  of  bleeding  babes, 

Of  children  at  the  breast, 

Are  heard  in  piteous  wail, 
And  rapine,  sister  of  the  plunderer's  rush ; 

Spoiler  with  spoiler  meets, 
And  empty-handed  empty-handed  calls, 

Wishing  for  share  of  gain, 
Both  eager  for  a  portion  no  whit  less, 

For  more  than  equal  lot 
With  what  they  deem  the  others'  hands  have  found, 

AXTISTBOPH.  m. 

And  all  earth's  fruits  cast  wildly  on  the  ground, 

Meeting  the  cheerless  eye 
Of  frugal  housewives,  give  them  pain  of  heart; 

And  many  a  gift  of  earth 

In  formless  heaps  is  whirled 

Iii  waves  of  nothingness ; 


62  THK    SEVEN    AGAINST    THKBES. 


And  the  young  maidens  know  a  sorrow  new ; 

For  now  the  foe  prevails, 
And  gains  rich  prize  of  wretched  captive's  bed;  "* 

And  now  their  only  hope 
Is  that  the  night  of  death  will  come  at  last, 

Their  truest,  beet  ally, 
To  rescue  them  from  sorrow  fraught  with  tears. 

Enter  ETEOCLES,  followed  ly  his  Chief  Captains, 
and  by  the  Scout. 

Semi-Clior.  A.  The  army  scout,  so  deem  I,  brings  to  us, 
Dear  friends,  some  tidings  new,  with  quickest  speed 
Plying  the  nimble  axles  of  Ir.s  feet. 

Semi-Char.  B.  Yea,  the  king's  self,  the  son  of  GEdipus, 
Is  nigh  to  hear  the  scout's  exact  report; 
And  has1;e  denies  him  too  an  even  stop. 

Mess.  I  knowing  well,  will  our  foes'  state  report,        *" 
How  each  his  lot  hath  stationed  at  the  gates. 
At  those  of  Prcetos,  Tydeus  thunders  loud, 
And  him  the  prophet  suffers  not  to  cross 
Ismenos'  fords,  the  victims  boding  ill.1 
And  Tydeus,  raging  eager  for  the  fight, 
Shouts  like  a  serpent  in  its  noon-tide  scream, 
And  on  the  prophet,  CEcleus'  son,  heaps  shame, 
That  he,  in  coward  fear,  doth  crouch  and  fawn 
Before  the  doom  and  peril  of  the  fight. 
And  with  such  speech  he  shakes  his  triple  crest, 
O'ershadowing  all  his  helm,  and  'neath  his  shield 
Bells  wrought  in  bronze  ring  out  their  chimes  of  fear ; 
And  on  his  shield  he  bears  this  proud  device, — 
A  firmament  enchased,  all  bright  with  stars  ;a 

(1)  Here,  as  in  v.  571,  Tydeus  appears  aa  the  real  leader  of  the  expedi- 
tion, who  had  persuaded  Adrastos  find  the  other  chiefs  to  join  in  it,  and 
Amphiaraos,  the  prophet,  the  son  of  (Ecleus,  as  haying  all  a  onj,'  foreseen 
its  disastrous  issue.    The  account  of  the  expedition  in  the   (Edipus  at 
Colonos  (1300—1330)  maybe  compared  with  this. 

(2)  The  legend  Df  the  Medusa's  head  on  the  shield  of  Athena  shows  1h* 
practice  of  thus  decorating  shields  to  have  been  of  remote  date.    In 
Homer  it  does  not  appeal-  as  common,  and  the  accoiint  (riven  of  the  shield 
of  Aclullt*  lays  stress  upon  the  work  of  the  artist  (UepUwatos)  wl*» 


THE   SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  63 

And  in  the  midst  the  full  moon's  glittering  orb, 

Sovran  of  stars  and  eye  of  Night,  shines  forth. 

And  thus  exulting  in  o'er  boastful  arms, 

By  the  stream's  hank  he  shouts  in  lust  of  war, 

[E'en  as  a  war-horse  panting  in  his  strength 

Against  the  curb  that  galls  him,  who  at  sound 

Of  trumpet's  clang  chafes  hotly.]    Whom  wilt  thou 

Set  against  him  ?    "Who  is  there  strong  enough 

When  the  bolts  yield,  to  guard  the  Prcetan  gates  P         "* 

Eteoc.  No  fear  have  I  of  any  man's  array ; 
Devices  have  no  power  to  pierce  or  wound, 
And  crest  and  bells  bite  not  without  a  spear  } 
And  for  this  picture  of  the  heavens  at  night, 
Of  which  thou  tellest,  glittering  on  his  shield, 
*Perchance  his  madness  may  a  prophet  prove ; 
For  if  night  fall  upon  his  dying  eyes, 
Then  for  the  man  who  bears  that  boastful  siga 
It  may  right  well  be  all  too  truly  named,  *• 

And  his  own  pride  shall  prophet  be  of  ilL 
And  against  Tydeus,  to  defend  the  gates, 
I'll  set  this  valiant  son  of  Astacos ; 
Noble  is  he,  and  honouring  well  the  throne 
Of  Eeverence,  and  hating  vaunting  speech. 
Slow  to  all  baseness,  unattuned  to  ill : 
And  of  the  dragon-race  that  Ares  spared l 
He  as  a  scion  grows,  a  native  true, 
E'en  Melanippos  ;  Ares  soon  will  test 
His  valour  in  the  hazard  of  the  die : 
And  kindred  Justice  sends  him  forth  to  war, 
For  her  that  bore  him  foeman's  spear  to  check.  *** 

BTBOPH.  I. 
Chor.  May  the  Gods  grant  my  champion  good  success  ! 

wrought  the  shield  in  relief,  not,  as  here,  upon  painted  insignia.    They 
were  obviously  common  in  the  time  of  JEschylos. 

( 1 )  The  older  families  of  Thebes  boasted  that  they  spiang  from  the  sur- 
vivors of  the  Sparti,  who,  sprang  from  the  Dragon's  teeth,  waged  deadly 
war  against  each  other,  till  all  but  five  were  slain.  The  later  settlers,  who 
were  said  to  have  come  with  Cadinoa,  stood  to  these  as  the  '  •  greater  ''  M 
the  "lesaer  ytntu  " 


THE  SEVEN  AGAINST  THEBES. 


For  justly  he  goes  forth 

For  this  our  State  to  fight ; 

But  yet  I  quake  with  fear 
To  see  the  deaths  of  those  who  die  for  friends. 

Mess.  Yea,  may  the  Gods  give  good  success  to  him! 
Tho  Electran  gates  have  fallen  to  Capaneus, 
A  second  giant,  taller  far  than  he 
Just  named,  with  boast  above  a  mortal's  bounds; 
Aud  dread  his  threats  against  our  towers  (0  Fortune,    *"* 
Turn  them  aside  !) — for  whether  God  doth  will, 
Or  willeth  not,  ho  says  that  he  will  sack  l 
The  city,  nor  shall  e'en  the  wrath  of  Zeus, 
On  the  plain  swooping,  turn  him  from  his  will; 
And  the  dread  lightnings  and  hot  thunderbolts 
He  likens  to  the  heat  of  noon-day  sun. 
And  his  device,  the  naked  form  of  one 
Who  baars  a  torch  ;  and  bright  the  blaze  shines  forth 
And  in  gold  characters  ho  speaks  the  words, 
"  THE  CITY  I  WILL  BUKN."     Against  this  man 
Send  forth  ....  but  who  will  meet  him  in  the  fight  P  °* 
Who,  without  fear,  await  this  warrior  proud  ? 
Eteoc.  Herein,  too,  profit  upon-profit  comes; 
And  'gainst  the  vain  and  boastful  thoughts  of  men, 
Their  tongue  itself  is  found  accuser  true. 
Threatening,  equipped  for  work  is  Capaneus, 
Scorning  the  Gods  :  and  giving  speech  full  play, 
And  in  wild  joy,  though  mortal,  vents  at  Zeus, 
High  in  the  heavens,  loud-spoken  foaming  words. 
And  well  I  trust  on  him  shall  rightly  come 
Fire-bearing  thunder,  nothing  likened  then 
To  heat  of  noon-day  sun.     And  so  'gainst  him,  m 

Though  very  bold  of  speech,  a  man  is  set 
Of  fiery  temper,  Polyphonies  strong, 
A  trusty  bulwark,  by  the  loving  grace 
Of  guardian  Artemis*  and  other  Goda. 
Describe  another,  placed  at  other  gates. 

(1)  So  in  the  Antigone  of  Sophocles,  (v.  134,)  Capanens  apear*  iw  the 
special  representative  of  boastful,  rt'ckl>?Bs  impiety. 

(2)  Artemis,  ua  UIMJ    of    the    special   IxuUea   to  whom  Thebes  wa» 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  65 

ANTISTKOPH.  I. 

Chor.  A  curse  on  him  who  'gainst  our  city  boasts  ! 

May  thunder  smite  him  down  ** 

Before  he  force  his  way 
Into  my  home,  and  drive 
Mo  from  my  maiden  bower  with  haughty  spear  I 

Mess.  And  now  I'll  toll  of  him  who  by  the  gates 
Stands  next ;  for  to  Eteoclos,  as  third, 
To  march  his  cohort  to  Ne'istian  gates, 
Leaped  the  third  lot  from  upturned  brazen  helm : 
And  he  his  mares,  in  head-gear  snorting,  whirls, 
Full  eager  at  the  gates  to  fall  and  din ; 
Their  whistling  nozzles  of  barbaric  mode, 
Are  filled  with  loud  blast  of  the  panting  nostrils.1 
In  no  poor  fashion  is  his  shield  devised ;  ** 

A  full-armed  warrior  climbs  a  ladder's  rungs, 
And  mounts  his  foeman's  towers  as  bent  to  sack; 
And  he  too  cries,  in  words  of  written  speech, 
That  "  NOT  E'EN  ARES  FROM  THE  TOWERS  SHALL  DRIVB 

HIM." 

Send  thou  against  him  some  defender  true, 
To  ward  the  yoke  of  bondage  from  our  State. 

Eteoc.  Such  would  I  send  now ;  by  good  luck  indeed 
He  has  been  sent,  his  vaunting  in  his  deeds, 
Megareus,  Creon's  son,  who  claims  descent 
From  those  as  Sparti  known,  and  not  by  noise 
Of  neighings  loud  of  warlike  steeds  dismayed,  ** 

Will  he  the  gates  abandon,  but  in  death 
Will  pay  our  land  his  nurture's  debt  in  full," 
Or  taking  two  men,  and  a  town  to  boot, 
(That  on  the  shield,)  will  deck  his  father's  house 
With  those  his  trophies.     Of  another  tell 
The  bragging  tale,  nor  grudge  thy  words  to  me. 

(1)  Apparently  an  Asiatic  invention,  to  increase  the  terror  of  an  nttacl; 
of  war-chariots. 

(2)  The  phrase  and  thought  were  almost  proverbial  in  Athens.     Men, 
as  citizens,  were  thought  of  as  fed  at  a  common  table,  bound  to  contribute 
their  gifts  to    the  common  stock.     When  they  offered  up  their  lives  in 
battle,  they  were  giving,  as  Pericles  says,  (Thucyd.  ii.  4.3,)  their  noblect 
"contribution,"  paying  in  full  their  subscription  to  the  society  of  which 
they  were  members. 

I 


66  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

BTBOPH.  n. 
Chor.  Him  I  -wish  good  success, 

0  guardian  of  my  home,  and  for  his  foes 

All  ill  success  I  pray  ; 
And  since  against  our  land  their  haughty  words 

With  maddened  soul  they  speak, 

May  Zeus,  the  sovran  judge, 
With  fiery,  hot  displeasure  look  on  them  !  4 

Mess.  Another  stands  as  fourth  at  gates  hard  by, 
Onca- Athena's,  with  a  shout  of  war, 
Hippomedon's  great  form  and  massive  limbs ; 
And  as  he  whirled  his  orb,  his  vast  shield's  disk, 

1  shuddered  ;  yea,  no  idle  words  I  speak. 

No  cheap  and  common  draughtsman  sm-e  was  lie 

Who  wrought  this  cunning  ensign  on  his  shield: 

Typhon  emitting  from  his  lips  hot  blast 

Of  darkling  smoke,  the  flickering  twin  of  fire : 

And  round  the  belly  of  the  hollow  shield 

A  rirn  was  made  with  wreaths  of  twisted  snakes. 

And  he  too  shouts  his  war-cry,  and  in  frenzy, 

As  man  possessed  by  Ares,  hastes  to  battle, 

Like  Thyiad,  darting  terror  from  his  eyes.1 

'Gainst  such  a  hero's  might  we  well  may  guard; 

Already  at  the  gates  men  brag  of  rout. 

Eteoc.  First,  the  great  Onca-Pallas,  dwelling  nigh 
Our  city's  gates,  and  hating  man's  bold  pride, 
Shall  ward  him.  from  her  nestlings  like  a  snake 
Of  venom  dread ;  and  next  Hyperbios, 
The  stalwart  son  of  O3nops,  has  been  chosen, 
A  hero  'gainst  this  hero,  willing  found 
To  try  his  destiny  at  Fortune's  best. 
No  fault  has  he  in  form,  or  heart,  or  arms; 
And  Hermes  with  good  reason  pairs  them  off; 
KOI  man  with  man  will  fight  as  enemy, 
And  on  their  shields  they'll  bring  opposing  Gods; 
For  this  man  beareth  Typhon,  breathing  fire, 

(1)  Thyiad,  another  name  for  the  Maenads,  the  frenzied  attendant* 
Dionysoe. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  6* 

A.nd  on  Hyperbios'  shield  sits  father  Zeus, 
Pull  firm,  with  burning  thunderbolt  in  hand; 
And  never  yet  has  man  seen  Zeus,  I  trow, 
O'ercome.     Such  then  the  favour  of  the  Gods, 
Wo  with  the  winners,  they  with  losers  are : l 
Good  reason  then  the  rivals  so  should  fare, 
If  Zeus  than  Typhon  stronger  be  in  fight, 
And  to  Hyperbios  Zeus  will  saviour  prove, 
As  that  device  upon  his  shield  presents  him. 

A.VTISTROT'H.  H. 

Chor.  Now  do  I  trust  that  he 
Who  bears  upon  his  shield  the  hated  form 

Of  Power  whom  Earth  doth  shroud, 
Antagonist  to  Zeus,  unloved  by  men 

And  by  the  ageless  Gods, 

Before  those  gates  of  ours 
To  his  own  hurt  may  dash  his  haughty  head.  "• 

Mess.  So  may  it  be !     And  now  the  fifth  I  tell, 
Who  the  fifth  gates,  the  Northern,  occupies, 
Hard  by  Amphion's  tomb,  the  son  of  Zeus ; 
And.  by  his  spear  he  swears,  (which  he  is  bold 
To  honour  more  than  God  or  his  own  eyes,) 
That  he  will  sack  the  fort  of  the  Cadineians 
With  that  spear's  might.     So  speaks  the  offspring  fair 
Of  mother  mountain-bred,  a  stripling  hero; 
And  the  soft  down  is  creeping  o'er  his  cheeks,  B3° 

Youth's  growth,  and  hair  that  floweth  full  and  thick ; 
And  ho  with  soul,  not  maiden's  like  his  name,* 
But  stern,  with  flashing  eye,  is  standing  there. 
Nor  stands  he  at  the  gate  without  a  vaunt ; 
For  on  his  brass-wrought  buckler,  strong  defence, 
Full-orbed,  his  body  guarding,  he  the  shame 
Of  this  our  city  bears,  the  ravenous  Sphinx, 
With  rivets  fixed,  all  burnished  and  embossed ;  ' 

(1)  Sc.,  in  the  legends  of  Typhon,  not  he,  but  Zens,  had  proved  th« 
conqueror.    The  warrior,  therefore,  who  chose  Typhon  for  his  badee  wa« 
identifying  himself -with  the  losing,  not  the  winning  side. 

(2)  The  name,  as  we  HI  e  toid  in  v.  642,  is  Partnenopsuos,  the  maiden-faced. 
(3J  The  Sphinx,  besides  its  general  character  aa  an  emblem  of  terror, 


68  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

And  under  her  she  holdeth  a  Cadmeian, 
That  so  on  him  most  arrows  might  be  shot. 
No  chance  that  he  will  fight  a  peddling  fight,      . 
Nor  shame  the  long,  long  journey  he  hath  come, 
Parthenopseos,  in  Arcadia  born : 
This  man  did  Argos  welcome  as  a  guest, 
And  now  he  pays  her  for  her  goodly  rearing, 
And  threatens  these  our  towers  with  .  .  .  God  avert  it  I 
Eteoc   Should  the  Gods   give   them  what   they  plan 

'gainst  us, 

Then  they,  with  those  their  godless  boastings  high, 
Would  perish  shamefully  and  utterly. 
Arid  for  this  man  of  Arcady  thou  tell'st  of, 
We  have  a  man  who  boasts  not,  but  his  hand 
Sees  the  right  thing  to  do  ; — Actor,  of  him  "• 

I  named  but  now  the  brother, — who  no  tongue 
Divorced  from  deeds  will  e\er  let  within 
Our  gates,  to  spread  and  multiply  our  ills, 
Nor  him  who  bears  upon  his  foeman's  shield 
The  image  of  the  hateful  venomed  beast ; 
But  she  without  shall  blame  him  as  he  tries 
To  take  her  in,  when  she  beneath  our  walls 
Gets  sorely  bruised  and  battered.1     And  herein, 
If  the  Gods  will,  I  prophet  true  shall  prove. 

STBOPH.  IIL 
Chor.  Thy  words  thrill  through  my  breast ; 

My  hair  stands  all  on  end, 

To  hear  the  boastings  great 

Of  those  who  speak  great  things 

Unholy.     May  the  Gods 

Destroy  them  in  our  land ! 
Mess.  A  sixth  I  tell  of,  one  of  noblest  mood, 
Amphiaraos,  seer  and  warrior  famed ; 
He,  stationed  at  the  Homoloian  gates, 

had.  of  course,  a  special  meaning  as  directed  to  the  Thebans.  The  Trarrioi 
who  bore  it  th  ea toned  to  renew  the  old  days  when  the  monster  whom 
CEdipus  had  overcome  had  laid  waste  their  city. 

(1)  Se.,  the  Sphinx  on  his  shield  will  not  be  allowed  to  enter  the  city. 
It  will  only  serve  as  a  mark,  attracting  men  to  attack  both  it  and  th« 
warrior  who  bears  it. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  69 

Reproves  the  mighty  Tydeus  with  sharp  -words 

As  '  murderer,'  and  '  troubler  of  the  State,1 

'  To  Argos  teacher  of  all  direst  ills, 

'  Erinnys'  sumpnour,'2  '  murder's  minister,' 

Whose  counsels  led  Adrastos  to  these  ills. 

*And  at  thy  brother  Polyneikes  glancing 

With  eyes  uplifted  for  his  father's  fate, 

And  ending,  twice  he  syllabled  his  name,3 

And  called  him,  and  thus  speaketh  with  his  lips  :•— 

"A  goodly  deed,  and  pleasant  to  the  Gods, 

Noble  for  after  age  to  hear  and  tell, 

Thy  father's  city  and  thy  country's  Gods 

To  waste  through  might  of  mercenary  host ! 

And  how  shall  Justice  stay  thy  mother's  tears?*  ** 

And  how,  when  conquered,  shall  thy  fatherland, 

Laid  waste,  become  a  true  ally  to  thee  ? 

As  for  myself,  I  shall  that  land  make  rich,8 

A  prophet  buried  in  a  foeman's  soil : 

To  arms !  I  look  for  no  inglorious  death." 

So  spake  the  prophet,  bearing  full-orbed  shield 

Wrought  all  of  bronze,  no  ensign  on  that  orb. 

He  wishes  to  be  just,  and  not  to  seem,6 

(1)  The  quarrel  between  Tydeus  and  the  seer  Amphiaraos  had  been 
already  touched  upon. 

(2)  I  have  used  the  old  English  word  to  express  a  term  of  like  technical 
rise  in  Athenian  law  processes.    As  the  "  sumpnour  "  called  witnesses  or 
parties  to  a  suit  into  court,  so  Tydeus  had  summoned  the  Erinnys  to  do 
her  work  of  destruction. 

(3)  Sc.,  so  pronounced  his  name  as  to  emphasize  the  significance  of  its 
two  component  parts,  as  indicating  that  he  who  bore  it  was  a  man  of 
much  contention. 

(4)  The  words  are  obscure,  but  seem  to  refer  to  the  badge  of  Polyneikes, 
the  figure  of  Justice  described  in  v.   643  as  on  his  shield.     How  shall 
that  Justice,  the  seer  asks,  console  Jocasta  for  her  son's  death  t    Another 
rendering  gives, 

"  And  how  shall  Justice  quench  a  mother's  life  !" 
the  "  mother  "  being  the  country  against  which  Polyneikes  wars. 

(5)  The  words  had  a  twofold  fulfilment,  (1)  in  the  burial  of  AmphiaraoB, 
in  the  Theban  soil ;  and  (2)  in  the  honour  which  accrued  to  Thebes  after 
his  death,  through  the  fame  of  the  oiacle  at  his  shrine. 

(6)  The  passage  cannot  be  passed  over  without  noticing  the  old  tradi- 
tion, (Plutarch,  Aritteid.  c.  3,)  that  when  the  actor  uttered  these  words,  ha 
and  the  whole  audience  looked  to  Aristeides,  surnamed  the  Just,  aa 
recognising  that  the  words  were  true  of  him  as  they  were  of  no  one  else, 

,"  instead  of  '  just,"  is,  however,  a  very  old  various  reading. 


7O  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

Reaping  full  harvest  from  his  soul's  deep  furrows, 
Wheiice  ever  new  and  noble  counsels  spring.  •** 

I  bid  thee  send  defenders  wise  and  brave 
Against  him.     Dread  is  he  who  fears  the  Gods. 

Eteoc.  Fie  on  the  chance  that  brings  the  righteous  mail 
Close-mated  with  the  ungodly  !     In  all  deeds 
Nought  is  there  worse  than  evil  fellowship, 
A  crop  men  should  not  reap.     Death  still  is  found 
The  harvest  of  the  field  of  frenzied  pride  ; 
For  either  hath  the  godly  man  embarked 
With  sailors  hot  in  insolence  and  guile,1 
And  perished  with  the  race  the  Gods  did  loathe  J  ** 

Or  just  himself,  with  citizens  who  wrong 
The  stranger  and  are  heedless  of  the  Gods, 
Falling  most  justly  in  the  self-same  snare, 
By  God's  scourge  smitten,  shares  tho  common  doom. 
And  thus  this  seer  I  speak  of,  CEcleus'  son, 
Eighteous,  and  wise,  and  good,  and  reverent, 
A  mighty  prophet,  mingling  with  the  godless 
*And  men  fall  bold  of  speech  in  reason's  spite, 
Who  take  long  march  to  reach  a  far-off  city,1 
If  Zeus  BO  will,  shall  be  hurled  down  with  them.  "* 

And  he,  I  trow,  shall  not  draw  nigh  the  gates, 
Not  through  faint-heart  or  any  vice  of  mood, 
But  well  he  knows  this  war  shall  bring  his  death, 
If  any -fruit  is  found  in  Loxias'  words; 
And  He  or  holds  his  speech  or  speaks  in  season. 
Yet  against  him  the  hero  Lasthenes, 
A  foe  of  strangers,  at  the  gates  we'll  set ; 
Old  is  his  mind,  his  body  in  its  prime, 
His  eye  swift-footed,  and  his  hand  not  slow 
To  grasp  the  spear  from  'neath  the  shield  laid  bare:*    ** 
Yet  'tis  by  God's  gift  men  must  win  success. 

(1)  If  the  former  reference  to  Aristeides  be  admitted,  we  can  scarcely 
avoid  seeing  in  this  passage  an  allusion  to  Themistocles,  »s  one  with 
whose  reckless  and  democratic  policy  it  was  dangerous  for  the  more  con- 
servative leader  to  associate  himself. 

(2)  The  far-off  city,  not  of  Thebes,  but  Hades.  In  the  legend  of  Thebet, 
the  earth  opened  and  swallowed  up  Amphiaraos,  as  in  583. 

(3)  The  short  spear  was  usually  carried  under  the  shelter  of  the  shield  i 
when  brought  into  action,  it  wa»,  of  course,  laid  bare. 


THE    SEVEX    AGAINST    THEBES.'  J\ 


Chor.  Hear,  0  ye  Gods  !  our  prayerg, 

Our  just  entreaties  grant, 

That  so  our  State  be  blest, 

Turn  ye  the  toils  of  war 

Upon  the  invading  host. 

Outside  the  walls  may  Zeus 

With  thunder  smite  them  low  ! 
Mess.  The  seventh  chief  then  who  at  the  seventh  gate 

stands, 

Thine  own,  own  brother,  I  will  speak  of  now, 
What  curses  on  our  State  he  pours,  and  prays  •* 

That  he  the  towers  ascending,  and  proclaimed 
By  herald's  voice  to  all  the  territory, 
And  shouting  out  the  captor's  paean-cry, 
May  so  tight  with  thee,  slay,  and  with  thee  die  ; 
Or  driving  thee  alive,  who  did'st  him  wrong, 
May  on  thee  a  vengeance  wreak  like  in  kind. 
So  clamours  ho,  and  bids  his  father's  Gods, 
His  country's  guardians,  look  upon  his  prayers, 
[And  grant  them  all.     So  Polyneikes  prays.] 
And  he  a  new  and  well-  wrought  shield  dotn  boar, 
And  twofold  sign  upon  it  riveted  ;  •* 

For  there  a  woman  with  a  stately  tread 
Leads  one  who  seems  a  warrior  wrought  in  gold  : 
Justice  she  calls  herself,  and  thus  she  speaks  : 
"  I  WILL  BRETO  BACK  THIS  MAN,  AKD  HE  SHALL  HAVE 
THE  CITY  AND  HIS  FATHER'S  DWELLING-PLACE." 
Such  are  the  signs  and  mottoes  of  those  men  ; 
And  thou,  know  well  whom  thou  dost  mean  to  send  : 
So  thou  shalt  never  blame  my  heraldings  ; 
And  thou  thyself  know  how  to  steer  the  State. 

Eteoc.  O  frenzy-stricken,  hated  sore  of  Gods  I  *" 

O  woe-fraught  race  (my  race  !)  of  OZdipus  ! 
Ah  me  !  ny  father's  curse  is  now  fulfilled  ; 
But  neither  is  it  meet  to  weep  or  wail, 
Lest  ciy  more  grievous  on  the  issue  come, 
Of  Polyneikes,  name  and  oinen  true, 


71  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

We  soon  shall  know  what  way  his  badge  shall  end, 

Whether  his  gold-wrought  letters  shall  restore  him, 

His  shield's  great  swelling  words  with  frenzied  soul. 

Ail  if  great  Justice,  Zeus's  virgin  child, 

Ruled  o'er  his  words  and  acts,  this  might  have  been;    ** 

But  neither  when  he  left  his  mother's  womb, 

Nor  in  his  youth,  nor  yet  in  ripening  age, 

Nor  wl  eti  his  beard  was  gathered  on  his  chin, 

Did  Justice  count  him  meet  for  fellowship ; 

Nor  do  I  think  that  she  befriends  him  now 

In  this  great  outrage  on  his  father's  land. 

Yea,  justly  Justice  would  as  falsely  named 

Be  known,  if  she  with  one  all-daring  joined. 

In  this  I  trust,  and  I  myself  will  face  him : 

Who  else  could  claim  a  greater  right  than  I  ?  "* 

Brother  with  brother  fighting,  king  with  king, 

And  foe  with  foe,  I'll  stand.     Come,  quickly  fetch 

My  greaves  that  guard  against  the  spear  and  stones. 

Chor.  Nay,  dearest  friend,  thou  son  of  (Edipus, 
Be  ye  not  like  to  him  with  that  ill  name. 
It  is  enough  Cadmeian  men  should  fight 
Against  the  Argives.     That  blood  may  be  cleansed; 
But  death  so  murderous  of  two  brothers  born, 
This  is  pollution  that  will  ne'er  wax  old. 

Eteoc.  If  a  man  must  bear  evil,  let  him  still  68U 

Be  without  shame — sole  profit  that  in  death. 
[No  glory  comes  of  base  and  evil  deeds]. 

Chor.  What  dost  thou  crave,  my  son  ?     Let  no  ill  fate, 
Frenzied  and  hot  for  war, 
Carry  thee  headlong  on  ; 
Check  the  first  onset  of  an  evil  lust. 

Eteoc.  Since  God  so  hotly  urges  on  the  matter, 
Let  all  of  Laios'  race  whom  Phoebos  hates, 
Drift  with  the  breeze  upon  Cokytos'  wave. 

Chor    An  over-fierce  and  passionate  desire 
Stirs  thee  and  pricks  thee  on 
To  work  an  evil  deed 
Of  guilt  of  blood  thy  hand  should  never  shed.  *• 


THE   SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 


Eteoc.  Nay,  my  dear  father's  curse,  in  full-grown  hate. 
Dwells  on  dry  eyes  that  canuot  shed  a  tear. 
And  speaks  of  gain  before  the  after-doom. 

Clutr.  But  be  not  thou  urged  on.     The  coward's  name 
Shall  not  be  thine,  for  thou 
Hast  ordered  well  thy  life. 
Dark-rolied  Erinnys  enters  not  the  house, 
"Wiien  at  men's  hands  the  Gods 
Accept  their  sacrifice. 

Eteoc.  As  for  the  Gods,  they  scorned  us  long  ago, 
And  smile  but  on  the  offering  of  our  deaths  ; 
What  boots  it  then  on  death's  doom  still  to  fawn  ? 
Chor.  Nay  do  it  now,  while  yet  'tis  in  thy  power ; l 
Perchance  may  fortune  shift 
With  tardy  change  of  mood, 
And  come  with  spirit  less  implacable : 
At  present  fierce  and  hot 
She  waxeth  in  her  rage. 

Eleoc.  Yea,  fierce  and  hot  the  Curse  of  (Edipus; 
And  all  too  true  the  visions  of  the  night, 
My  father's  treasured  store  distributing. 

Chor.  Yield  to  us  women,  though  thou  lov'st  us  not. 
Eteoc.  Speak  then  what  may  be  done,  and  be  not  long.  "* 
Chor.  Tread  not  the  path  that  to  the  seventh  gate  leads. 
Eteoc.  Thou  shalt  not  blunt  my  sharpened  edge  with 

words. 

Chor.  And  yet  God  loves  the  victory  that  submits.* 
Eteoc.  That  word  a  warrior  must  not  tolerate. 
Chor.  Dost  thou  then  haste  thy  brother's  blood  to  shed  ? 
Eteoc.  If  the  Gods  grant  it,  he  shall  not  'scape  harm. 
[Exeunt  ETEOCLES,  Scout,  and  Captains. 

STROPH.  L 

Chor.  I  fear  her  might  who  doth  this  whole  house  wreck, 

(1)  Perhaps  "  since  death  is  nigh  at  hind." 

(2)  The  Chorns  means  that  if  Eteocles  would  allow  himself  to  be  over- 
come in  this  contest  of  his  wishes  with  their  prayers,  the  Gods  would 
honour  that  defeat  as  if  i'  were  indeed  a  victory.    He  mikes  answer  thai 
the  very  thought  of  beinpr  overcome  implied  in  the  word  "defeat"  il 

is  one  which  tin;  true  warrior  cuuuiot  bear. 


74  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

The  Goddess  unlike  Gods, 
The  prophetess  of  evil  all  too  true, 
The  Erinnys  of  thy  father's  imprecations,  w 

Lest  she  fulfil  the  curse, 

O'er- wrathful,  frenzy-fraught, 

The  curse  of  (Edipus, 

Laying  his  children  low. 

This  Strife  doth  urge  them  on. 

ANTISTBOPH.  L 

And  now  a  stranger  doth  divide  the  lots, 
The  Chalyb,1  from  the  Skythians  emigrant, 
The  stern  distributor  of  heaped-up  wealth, 
The  iron  that  hath  assigned  them  just  so  much 

Of  land  as  theirs,  nu  more, 

As  may  suffice  for  them 

As  grave  when  they  shall  fall, 

Without  or  part  or  lot 

In.  the  broad-spreading  plains.  1* 

STUOPH.  H. 

And  when  the  hands  of  each 

The  other's  blood  have  shed, 

And  the  earth's  dust  shall  drink 

The  black  and  clotted  gore, 

Who  then  r.an  purify  ? 

Who  cleanse  them  from  the  guilt  P 

Ah  me  !  O  sorrows  new, 
That  mingle  with  the  old  woes  of  our  house  I 
ANTISTBOPH.  H. 

I  tell  the  ancient  tale 

Of  sin  that  brought  swift  doom ;  ** 

Till  the  third  ago  it  waits, 

Since  Laios,  heeding  not 

Apollo's  oracle, 

(Though  spoken  thrice  to  him 

(1)  The  '  Chalyb  stranger '  is  the  sword,  thought  of  as  taking  its  naip* 
from  the  Skythian  tribe  of  the  Chalybes,  between  Colchis  and  Armenia, 
i'oiurh  tlw  Tlir&kitUis  iiiio  Greece. 


TUK    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 


In  Pythia's  central  shrine,) 
That  dying  childless,  he  should  save  the  State. 

STBOPH.  EH. 
But  he  by  those  he  loved  full  rashly  swayed, 

Doom  for  himself  begat, 

Hi*  rnunleier  (Edipus, 

Who  dared  to  sow  in  field 

Unholy,  whence  he  sprang, 

A  root  of  blood-flecked  woe. 

Madness  together  brought 

Bridegroom  and  bride  accursed. 

ANTISTHOPH.  TTT. 
And  now  the  sea  of  evils  pours  its  flood; 

This  falling,  others  rise, 

As  with  a  triple  crest, 

Which  round  the  State's  atern  roara; 

And  but  a  bulwark  slight, 

A  tower's  poor  breadth,  defends :  "* 

And  lest  the  city  fall 

With  its  two  kings  I  fear. 

STBOPH.  IV. 
*And  that  atonement  of  the  ancient  curse 

Receives  fulfilment  now ; l 
*And  when  they  ccme,  the  evils  pass  not  by. 
E'en  so  the  wealth  of  sea-adventurers, 

When  heaped  up  in  excess, 

Leads  but  to  cargo  from  the  stern  thrown  out.* 

AXTISTROPII.  IV. 
For  whom  of  mortals  did  the  Gods  so  praise, 

And  fellow- worshippers,  ™ 

*And  race  of  those  who  feed  their  flocks  and  herds,* 

(1)  The  two  brothers,  i.e.,  are  set  at  one  again,  but  it  is  not  in  the  bonds 
of  friendship,  but  in  those  of  death. 

(2)  Tiie  image  meets  us  again  in  Agam.  980.    Here  the  thought  is,  that 
a  man  too  prosperous  is  like  a  ship  too  heavily  freighted.     He  must  part 
with  a  portion  of  his  possession  in  order  to  save  the  rest.     Not  to  part 
with  them  leads,  when  the  storm  rages,  to  an  enforced  abandonment  and 
Utter  loss. 

(3)  Another  reading  gives  — 

"And  race  of  those  who  crowd  the  Agora." 


76  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

As  much  as  then  they  honoured  CEdipus, 

Who  from  our  country's  bounds 
Had  driven  the  monster,  murderess  of  men  P 

STBOPH.  V. 

And  when  too  late  he  knew, 
Ah,  miserable  man  !  his  wedlock  dire, 

Vexed  sore  with  that  dread  shame, 

With  heart  to  madness  driven, 

He  wrought  a  two-fold  ill, 
And  with  the  hand  that  smote  his  father's  life 
*Blinded  the  eyes  that  might  his  sons  have  seen. 

AXTISTROPH.  V. 

And  with  a  mind  provoked 
By  nurture  scant,  he  at  his  sons  did  hurl  * 

His  curses  dire  and  dark, 

(Ah,  bitter  curses  those  !) 

That  they  with  spear  in  hand 
Should  one  day  share  their  father's  wealth  ;  and  I 
Fear  now  lest  swift  Erinnys  should  fulfil  them. 

Enter  Messenger. 

Mi-ss.  Be  of  good  cheer,  ye  maidens,  mother-reared ; 
Our  city  has  escaped  the  yoke  of  bondage, 
The  boasts  of  mighty  men  are  fallen  low, 
And  this  our  city  in  calm  waters  floats, 
And,  though  by  waves  lashed,  springs  not  any  leak. 
Our  fortress  still  holds  out,  and  we  did  guard 
The  gates  with  champions  who  redeemed  their  pledge. 
In  the  six  gateways  almost  all  goes  well ; 
But  the  seventh  gate  did  King  Apollo  choose,* 

(1)  This  seems  to  have  been  one  form  of  the  legends  as  to  the  cause  of 
the  curse  •which  CEdipus  had  launched  upon  his  sons.    An  alternative 
rendering  is — 

And  with  a  mind  enraged 

At  thought  of  what  they  we're  whom  he  had  reared, 
He  at  his  sons  did  hurl 
His  curses  dire  and  dark. 

(2)  Be.,  when  Eteocles  fell,  Apollo  took  his  place  at  the  seventh  gat% 
and  turned  the  tide  of  war  in  favour  of  the  Thebuus. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  7J 

Seventh  mighty  chief,  avenging  Laios'  want 
O*.  -ounsel  on  the  sons  of  CEdipus. 

Chor.  What  new  disaster  happens  to  our  city?1          "* 
Mesa.  The  city's  saved,  but  both  the  royal  brothers,  .  .  . 
Chor.  Who  ?  and  what  of  them  ?  I'm  distraught  with  fear. 
Mess.  Be  calm,  and  hear :  the  sons  of  CEdipus,  .... 
Chor.  Oh  wretched  me  !  a  prophet  I  of  ill  I 
Mess.  Slain  by  each  other,  earth  has  drunk  their  blood. 
Chor.  Came  they  to  that  ?    'Tis  dire ;  yet  tell  it  me. 
Mess.  Too  true,  by  brother's  hand  our  chiefs  are  slain. 
Chor.  What,  did  the  brother's  hands  the  brother  slay? 
Mesa.  No  doubt  is  there  that  they  are  laid  in  dust. 
Chor.  Thus  was  there  then  a  common  fate  for  both  ? 
Mess.  *Yea,  it  lays  low  the  whole  ill-fated  race. 
Chor.  These  things  give  cause  for  gladness  and  for 
tears,  81° 

Seeing  that  our  city  prospers,  and  our  lords, 
The  generals  twain,  with  woll-wrought  Skythian  steel, 
Have  shared  between  them  ail  their  store  of  goods, 
And  now  shall  have  their  portion  in  a  grave, 
Borne  on,  as  spake  their  father's  grievous  curse.* 

Mess.  [The  city's  saved,  but  of  the  brother-kings 
The  earth  has  drunk  the  blood,  each  slain  by  each.] 
Chor.  Great  Zeus !  and  ye,  O  Gods  I 
Guardians  of  this  our  town, 
Who  save  in  very  deed 

The  towers  of  Cadmos  old,  ** 

Shall  I  rejoice  and  shout 
Over  the  happy  chance 
That  frees  our  State  from  harm ; 
Or  weep  that  ill-starred  pair, 
The  war-chiefs,  childless  and  most  miserable, 

Who,  true  to  that  ill  name 
Of  Polyneikes,  died  in  impious  mood, 
Contending  overmuch  ? 

(1)  1  follow  in  this  dialogue  the  arrangement  which  Paley  adopts  from 
Hermann. 

12)  There  seems  an  intentional  ambiguity.  They  are  "  borne  OB,"  btl4 
ft  u  QM  the  corpses  of  the  dead  are  borne  to  the  sepulchre. 


78  THE   SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

STBOPH. 

Oh  dark,  and  all  too  true 
That  curse  of  CEdipus  and  all  his  race,1 
Au  evil  chill  is  falling  on  my  heart,  •" 

And,  like  a  Thyiad  wild, 
Over  his  grave  I  sing  a  dirge  of  grief, 
Hearing  the  dead  have  died  by  evil  fate, 

Each  in  foul  bloodshed  steeped  ; 
Ah  me  I    Ill-omened  is  the  spear's  accord.' 

ANTISTBOPH. 

Tt  hath  wrought  out  its  end, 

And  hath  not  failed,  that  prayer  the  father  poured ; 
And  Laios'  reckless  counsels  work  till  now : 

I  fear  me  for  the  State ; 
The  oracles  have  not  yet  lost  their  edge ; 
O  men  of  many  sorrows,  ye  have  wrought 

This  deed  incredible ; 
Not  now  in  word  come  woes  most  lamentable. 

[As  the  Chorus  are  speaking,  the  todies  of  ETEOCLE8 

and  POLYNEIKES  are  brought  in  solemn  procession  by 

Theban  Citizens. 

EPODB. 

Yea,  it  is  all  too  clear, 

The  herald's  tale  of  woe  comes  full  in  sight ; 
Twofold  our  cares,  twin  evils  born  of  pride, 

Murderous,  with  double  doom, 
Wrought  unto  full  completeness  all  these  ills. 

What  shall  I  say  ?    What  else 

Are  they  than  woes  that  make  this  house  their  home  ? 
But  oh  !  my  friends,  ply,  ply  with  swift,  strong  gale, 
That  even  stroke  of  hands  upon  your  head,3 

(1)  Not  here  the  curse  uttered  by  CKdipus,  but  that  which  rested  on 
him  and  all  his  kin.  There  is  ppssib'y  on  allusion  to  the  curse  which 
Pelops  is  said  to  have  uttered  against  Laios  when  ha  stole  his  son  Chry- 
sippos.  Comp.  v.  837. 

(3)  As  in  v.  763,  we  read  of  the  brothers  as  mnde  one  in  death,  so  now 
of  the  conoord  which  is  wrought  out  by  cumlict,  the  concord,  i.e.,  of  the 
grave. 

(3)  The  Chorus  are  called  on  to  change  their  character,  and  to  pasi 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  79 

In  funeral  order,  such  as  evermore 

O'er  Acheron  sends  on 

*That  bark  of  State,  dark-rigged,  accursed  its  voyage, 
Which  nor  Apollo  visits  nor  the  sun,1 

On  to  the  shore  unseen, 

The  resting-place  of  all. 

PSMENE  and  ANTIGONE  are  seen  approaching  in  mourn- 
ing garments,  followed  by  a  procession  of  women  wail* 

ing  and  lamenting.'] 

!For  see,  they  come  to  bitter  deed  called  forth, 
Ismene  and  the  maid  Antigone, 

To  wail  their  brothers'  fall ; 

With  little  doubt  I  deem, 
That  they  will  pour  from  fond,  deep-bosomed  breasts 

A  worthy  strain  of  grief : 

But  it  is  meet  that  we, 

Before  we  hear  their  cry,  •" 

Should  utter  the  harsh  hymn  Erinnys  loves, 

And  sing  to  Hades  dark 

The  Paean  of  distress. 

0  ye,  most  evil-fated  in  your  kin, 

Of  all  who  gird  their  robes  with  maiden's  band, 

1  weep  and  wail,  and  feigning  know  I  none, 

That  I  should  fail  to  speak 
My  sorrow  from  my  heart. 

STBOPII.  L 

Semi-Chor.  A.  Alas  !  alas  ! 
Men  of  stern  mood,  who  would  not  list  to  friends, 

Unwearied  in  all  ills,  Clt 

from  the  attitude  of  suppliants,  with  outstretched  arms,  to  that  of 
mourners  at  a  funeral,  beatin<?  on  their  breasts.  But,  perhaps,  the  call 
is  addressed  to  the  mourners  who  are  seen  approaching  with  Ismene  and 
Antigone. 

(1)  The  thought  is  drawn  from  the  theorit  or  pilgrim-ship,  which  went 
wi*h  snow-white  sails,  and  accompanied  by  joyful  pfeans,  on  a  solemn 
mission  from  Athens  to  Delos.  In  contrast  with  this  type  of  joy,  JEsehyloa 
draws  the  picture  of  the  boat  of  Charon,  which  passes  over  the 
gloomy  pool  accompanied  by  the  sighs  and  gestures  of  bitter  lamentation. 
So,  in  the  old  Attic  legend,  the  ship  that  annually  carried  seven  youths 
and  maidens  to  the  Hinftaur  of  Crete  was  conspicuous  lor  its  block 
•ttila. 


8O  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

Saizing  your  father's  house,  O  wretched  ones 

With  the  spear's  murderous  point. 
Semi-Chor.    B.    Yea,   wretched    they    who   found   8 

wretched  doom, 
With  havoc  of  the  house. 

AvrisTBora.  L 

Kemi-Chor.  A.  Alas!  alas! 
Ye  who  laid  low  the  ancient  walls  of  home, 

On  sovereignty,  ill  won, 
Your  eyes  have  looked,  and  ye  at  last  are  brought 

To  concord  by  the  sword. 

Bfmi-Chor.  13.  Yea,  of  a  truth,  the  curse  of  CEdipua  ** 
Erinnys  dread  fulfils. 

STBOPH.  H. 

Semi-Chor.  A.  Yea,  smitten  through  the  heart, 
Smitten  through  sides  where  flowed  the  blood  of  brothers. 
Ah  me  !  ye  doomed  of  God ! 
Ah  me  !  the  curses  dire 
Of  deaths  ye  met  with  each  at  other'?  hands! 

Semi-Chor.    B.    Thou  tell'st  of    men    death-smitten 

through  and  through, 
Both  in  their  homes  and  lives, 
With  wrath  beyond  all  speech, 
And  doom  of  discord  fell, 
That  sprang  from  out  the  curse  their  father  spake. 

AKTIBTBOPH.  IL 

Bfmi-Chor.  A.  Yea,  through  the  city  runs 
A  wailing  cry.     The  high  towers  wail  aloud ; 
Wails  all  the  plain  that  loves  her  heroes  well ; 
And  to  their  children's  sons 
The  wealth  will  go  for  which 

The  strife  of  those  ill-starred  ones  brought  forth  death. 
Semi-Chor.  B.  Quick  to  resent,  they  shared  their  for- 
tune so, 

That  each  like  portion  won  ; 
*Nor  can  their  friends  regard 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  8l 


Their  umpire  without  blame ;  •** 

Nor  is  our  voice  in  thanks  to  Ares  raised. 

STBOPH.  ILL 

Semi-Chor.  A.  By  the  sword  smitten  low, 
Thus  are  they  now ; 
By  the  sword  smitten  low, 
There  wait  them  .  .  .  Nay, 
Doth  one  perchance  ask  what  ? 
Shares  in  their  old  ancestral  sepulchres. 

Semi-Chor.  B.  *The  sorrow  of  the  house  is  borne  to 

them 

By  my  heart-rending  wail. 
Mine  own  the  cries  I  pour ; 
Mine  own  the  woes  I  weep, 

Bitter  and  joyless,  shedding  truest  tears  •*• 

Prom  heart  that  faileth,  even  as  they  fall, 
For  these  two  kingly  chiefs. 

ANTISTBOPH.  PH. 

Scmi-Chor.  A,  Yes ;  one  may  say  of  them, 
That  wretched  pair, 
That  they  much  ill  have  wrought 
To  their  own  host ; 
Yea,  and  to  alien  ranks 
Of  many  nations  fallen  in  the  fray. 

Semi-Chor.  B.  Ah!  miserable  she  who  bare  those  twain, 
'Bove  all  of  women  born 

Who  boast  a  mother's  name  !  M0 

Taking  her  son,  her  own, 

As  spouse,  she  bare  these  children,  and  they  both, 
By  mutual  slaughter  and  by  brothers'  hands, 
Have  found  their  end  in  death. 
STBOPH.  IV. 

Semi-Chor.  A.   Yes;    of  the  same  womb  born,  and 

doomed  both, 

*  Not  as  friends  part,  they  fell, 
In  strife  to  madness  pushed 
In  this  their  quarrel's  end. 

a 


82  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

Semi-CJior.  B.  The  quarrel  now  is  hushed, 
And  in  the  ensanguined  earth  their  lives  are  blent ;        *" 

Full  near  in  blood  are  they. 

Stern  umpire  of  their  strifes 
Has  been  the  stranger  from  beyond  the  sea,1 
Fresh  from  the  furnace,  keen  and  sharpened  steel. 

Stern,  too,  is  Ares  found, 

Distributing  their  goods, 
Making  their  father's  curses  all  too  true. 

ANTISTROPH.  IV. 

Semi-Chor.  A.    At  last  they  havo  their    share,   ah, 

wretched  ones ! 

Of  burdens  sent  from  God.  •*• 

And  now,  beneath  them  lies 

A  boundless  wealth  of earth. 

Semi-Chor.  B.  O  ye  who  your  own  race 
Have  made  to  burgeon  out  with  many  woes  I 
Over  the  end  at  last 
The  brood  of  Curses  raise 
Their  shrill,  sharp  cry  of  lamentation  loud, 
The  race  being  put  to  flight  of  utmost  rout, 
And  Ate's  trophy  stands, 
Where  in  the  gates  they  fell ; 
And  Fate,  now  both  are  conquered,  rests  at  last.  •* 

Enter  ANTIGONE  and  ISMENE,  followed  ly  mourning 
maidens? 

Ant.  Thou  wast  smitten,  and  thou  smotest. 

Ism.  Thou  did'st  slaughter,  and  wast  slaughtered. 

(1)  The  'Chalyb,'  or  iron  sword,  which  the  Hellenes  had  imported 
from  the  Skythians.    Comp.  w.  70,  80. 

(2)  The  lyrical,  operatic  character  of  Greek  tragedies  has  to  be  borne  in 
mind  as  we  read  passages  like  that  which  follows.    They  were  not  meant 
to  be  read.    Uttered  in  a  passionate  recitative,  accompanied  by  expres- 
sive action,  they  probably  formed  a  very  effective  element  in  the  actual 
representation  of  the  tragedy.    We  may  look  on  it  as  the  only  extant 
specimen  of  the  kind  of  wailing  which  was  characteristic  of  Eastern 
trarials,  and  which  was  slowly  passing  away  in  Greece  under  the  influence 
of  a  higher  culture.    The  early  fondness  of  .aSschylos  for  a  finale  of  this 
nature  is  seen  also  in  The  fernant,  and  in  a  more  solemn  and  subdued 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  83 


Ant.  Thou  with  spear  to  death  did'st  smite  him. 
Ism.  Thou  with  spear  to  death  wast  smitten. 
Ant.  Oh,  the  woe  of  all  your  labours  1 
lam.  Oh,  the  woe  of  all  ye  suffered  I 
Ant.  Pour  the  cry  of  lamentation. 
Ism.  Pour  the  tears  of  bitter  weeping. 
Ant.  There  in  death  thou  liest  prostrate. 
lam.  Having  wrought  a  great  destruction. 

STEOPH. 

Ant.  Ah  !  my  mind  is  crazed  with  wailing. 

Ism.  Yea,  my  heart  within  me  groaneth. 

Ant.  Thou  for  whom  the  city  weepeth  ! 

Ism.  Thou  too,  doomed  to  all  ill-fortune  I 

Ant.  By  a  loved  hand  thou  hast  perished. 

7am.  And  a  loved  form  thou  hast  slaughtered. 

Ant.  Double  woes  are  ours  to  tell  of. 

Ism.  Double  woes  too  ours  to  look  on. 

A  nt.  *  Twofold  sorrows  from  near  kindred. 

Ism.  *  Sisters  we  by  brothers  standing. 

Ant.  Terrible  are  they  to  tell  of. 

Ism.  Terrible  are  they  to  look  on. 

Chor.  Ah  me,  thou  Destiny, 
Giver  of  evil  gifts,  and  working  woe, 
And  thou  dread  spectral  form  of  QEdipus, 
And  swarth  Erinnys  too, 
A  mighty  one  art  thou. 

ANTTSTROPH. 

Ant.  Ah  me !  ah  me  !  woes  dread  to  look  on  «... 

Ism.  Ye  showed  to  me,  returned  from  exile. 

Ant.  Not,  when  he  had  slain,  returned  he. 

Ism.  Nay,  he,  saved  from  exile,  perished.  m 

Ant.  Yea,  I  trow  too  well,  he  perished. 

Ism.  And  his  brother,  too,  ho  murdered. 

Ant.  Woeful,  piteous,  are  those  brothers! 

form,  in  the  Eimenides.  The  feeling  that  there  was  something  barbaric 
in  these  outward  displays  of  grief,  showed  itself  alike  in  the  legislation  ol 
Solon,  and  the  eloquence  of  Pericles. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 


Ism.  Woeful,  piteous,  all  they  suffered  I 
Ant.  Woes  of  kindred  wrath  enkindling  I 
lam.  Saturate  with  threefold  horrors  1 
Ant.  Terrible  are  they  to  tell  of. 
Ism.  Terrible  are  they  to  look  on. 
Cher.  Ah  me,  thou  Destiny, 
Giver  of  evil  gifts,  and  stern  of  soul, 
And  thou  dread  spectral  form  of  CEdipus, 
And  swarth  Erinnys  too, 
A  mighty  one  art  thou. 

EPODX. 

Ant.  Thou,  then,  by  full  trial  knowest  .  • 
lam.  Thou,  too,  no  whit  later  learning.  .  . 
Ant.  When  thou  cam'st  back  to  this  city.1  . 
Ism.  Eival  to  our  chief  in  warfare. 
Ant.  Woe,  alas !  for  all  our  troubles  I 
Ism.  Woe,  alas !  for  all  our  evils  I 
Ant.  Evils  fallen  on  our  houses ! 
lam.  Evils  fallen  on  our  country  I 
Ant.  And  on  me  before  all  others.  .  .  . 

lam.  And  to  me  the  future  waiting.  ... 

Ant.  Woe  for  those  two  brothers  luckless  I 
Ism.  King  Eteocles,  our  leader ! 
Ant.  Oh,  before  all  others  wretched  1 
Ism.  ...... 

Ant.  Ah,  by  At£  frenzy-stricken  ! 
lam.  Ah,  where  now  shall  they  be  buried  P 
Ant.  There  where  grave  is  highest  honour. 
Ism.  Ah,  the  woe  my  father  wedded  I 


Enter  a  Herald. 

Her.  'Tis  mine  the  judgment  and  decrees  to  publish 
Of  this  Cadmeian  city's  counsellors : 
It  is  decreed  Eteocles  to  honour, 
For  his  goodwill  towards  this  land  of  ours,  101° 

(1)  Here,    and  perhaps   throughout,  we  must  think  of  Antigone  aa 
addressing  and  looking  on  the  corpse  of  Polyneikes,  Ismene  on  that  of 

Etwclee. 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  85 


With  seemly  burial,  such  as  friend  may  claim  ; 

For  warding  off  our  foes  he  courted  death ; 

Pure  as  regards  his  country's  holy  things, 

Blameless  he  died  where  death  the  young  beseems ; 

This  then  I'm  ordered  to  proclaim  of  him. 

But  for  his  brother's,  Polyneikes'  corpse, 

To  cast  it  out  unburied,  prey  for  dogs, 

As  working  havoc  on  Cadmeian  land, 

Unless  some  God  had  hindered  by  the  spear 

Of  this  our  prince ; 1  and  he,  though  dead,  shall  gain 

The  curse  of  all  his  father's  Gods,  whom  he 

[Pointing  to  PO 
With  alien  host  dishonouring,  sought  to  take 
Our  city.     Him  by  ravenous  birds  interred 
Ingloriously,  they  sentence  to  receive 
His  full  deserts ;  and  none  may  take  in  hand 
To  heap  up  there  a  tomb,  nor  honour  him 
With  shrill- voiced  wailings ;  but  he  still  must  lie, 
Without  the  meed  of  burial  by  his  friends. 
So  do  the  high  Cadmeian  powers  decree. 

Ant.  And  I  those  rulers  of  Cadmeians  tell,* 
That  if  no  other  care  to  bury  him, 
I  will  inter  him,  facing  all  the  risk, 
Burying  my  brother :  nor  am  I  ashamed 
To  thwart  the  State  in  rank  disloyalty ; 
Strange  power  there  is  in  ties  of  blood,  that  we, 
Born  of  woe-laden  mother,  sire  ill-starred, 
Are  bound  by  :  therefore  of  thy  full  free-will, 
Share  thou,  my  soul,  in  woes  he  did  not  will, 
Thou  living,  he  being  dead,  with  sister's  heart. 
And  this  I  say,  no  wolves  with  ravening  maw, 

(1)  Perhaps— 

"  Unless  some  God  had  stood  against  the  spear 
This  chief  did  wie  d." 

(2)  The  speech  of  Antigone  becomes  the  startinp-point,  in  the  hands  of 
Sophocles,  of  the  nohlest  of  his  tragedies.    The  denijil  of  burial,  it  will  be 
remembered,  was   looked  on  as  not  merely  an  indignity  and  outrage 
against  the  feelings  of  the  living,  but  as  depriving  the  souls  of  the  dead, 
or  all  rest  and  peace.    As  such  it  was  the  punishment  of  parricides  and 
traitors. 


86  THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES. 

Shall  tear  his  flesh — "No  !  no !  let  none  think  that  I 
For  tomb  and  burial  I  will  scheme  for  him,  M— 

Though  I  be  but  weak  woman,  bringing  earth. 
Within  my  byssine  raiment's  fold,  and  so 
Myself  will  bury  him  ;  let  no  man  think 
(I  say't  again)  aught  else.     Take  heart,  my  soul! 
There  shall  not  fail  the  means  effectual. 
Her.  I  bid  thee  not  defy  the  State  in  this. 
Ant.  I  bid  thee  not  proclaim  vain  words  to  me. 
Her.  Stern  is  the  people  now,  with  victory  flushed. 
Ant.  Stern  let  them  be,  he  shall  not  tombless  lie. 
Her.  And  wilt    thou    honour  whom  the  State  doth 

loathe  ? 

Ant.  *  Yea,  from  the  Gods  he  gets  an  honour  due.1 10B* 
Her.  It  was  not  so  till  he  this  land  attacked. 
Ant.  He,  suffering  evil,  evil  would  repay. 
Her.  Not  against  one  his  arms  were  turned,  but  all. 
Ant.  Strife  is  the  last  of  Gods  to  end  disputes : 
Him  I  will  bury  ;  talk  no  more  of  it. 

Her.  Choose  for  thyself  then,  I  forbid  the  deed. 
Chor.  Alas !  alas  !  alas  ! 

Ye  haughty  boasters,  race- destroying, 
Now  Fates  and  now  Eiinnyes,  smiting 
The  sons  of  GZdipus,  ye  slew  them, 
With  a  root-and-branch  destruction. 
What  shall  I  then  do,  what  suffer? 
What  shall  I  devise  in  counsel  ? 
How  should  I  dare  nor  to  weep  thee, 
Nor  escort  thee  to  the  burial  ? 
But  I  tremble  and  I  shrink  from 
All  the  terrors  which  they  threatened, 
They  who  are  my  fellow-townsmen. 

(1)  The  •words  are  obscure  enough,  the  point  lying,  it  may  be,  in  their 
ambiguity.  Antigone  here,  as  in  the  tragedy  of  Sophocles,  pleads  that 
the  Gods  have  pardoned  ;  they  still  command  and  love  the  reverence  for 
the  dead,  which  she  is  nbout  to  show.  The  herald  catches  up  her  words 
and  takes  them  in  another  sense,  as  though  all  the  honour  he  had  met 
with  from  the  Gods  had  been  defeat,  and  death,  and  shame,  as  the  reward 
«f  his  sacrilege.  Another  rendering,  however,  gives— 

"  Yes,  so  the  Gods  have  done  with  honouring  him." 


THE    SEVEN    AGAINST    THEBES.  87 

Many  mourners  thou  (looking  to  the  bier  of 
ETEOCLES)  shalt  meet  with; 

But  he,  lost  one,  unlamented, 

With  his  sister's  wailing  only 

Passeth.     Who  with  this  complieth.  P 
Semi-Chor.  A.  Let  the  city  doom  or  not  doom 

Those  who  weep  for  Polyneikes ; 

We  will  go,  and  we  will  bury,  ** 

Maidens  we  in  sad  procession ; 

For  the  woe  to  all  is  common, 

And  our  State  with  voice  uncertain, 

Of  the  claims  of  Eight  and  Justice ; 

Hither,  thither,  shifts  its  praises. 
Semi-Chor.  B,  We  will  thus,  our  chief  attending, 

Speak,  as  speaks  the  State,  our  praises : 

Of  the  claims  of  Eight  and  Justice ; l 

For  next  those  the  Blessed  Eulers, 

And  the  strength  of  Zeus,  he  chiefly 

Saved  the  city  of  Cadmeians 

From  the  doom  of  fell  destruction, 

From  the  doom  of  whelming  utter, 

In  the  flood  of  alien  warriors. 
[Exeunt  ANTIGONE  and  Semi- Chorus  A.,  fol- 
lowing the  corpse  of    POLYNEIKES  ;    ISMENE 
and  Semi-  Chorus  B.  that  of  ETEOCLES. 

(1)  The  words  are  probably  a  protest  against  the  changeablcness  ol 
the  Athenian  dcwoe,  ot>  stcu  b-peciaUy  in  their  treatment  of  Aristeidaa. 


PROMETHEUS  I30OTD. 


ARGUMENT. 

In  ihe  old  time,  when  Cronos  was  sovereign  of  the  Gods,  Zeus, 
whom  he  had  begotten,  rose  up  against  him,  and  the  Gods  wert 
divided  in  their  counsels,  some,  the  Titans  chiefly,  siding  with 
the  father,  and  some  with  tJie  son.  And  Prometheus,  the  son 
of  Earth  or  Themis,  though  one  of  the  Titans,  supported  Zeus, 
as  did  also  Okeanos,  and  by  his  counsels  Zeus  obtained  the 
victory,  and  Cronos  was  chained  in  Tartaros,  and  the  Titans 
buried  under  mountains,  or  kept  in  bonds  in  Hades.  And  t/ien 
Prometheus,  seeing  the  miseries  of  the  race  of  men,  of  whom 
Zeus  took  little  heed,  stole  the  fire  which  till  then  had  belonged 
to  none  but  Heph&stos  and  was  used  only  for  the  Gods,  and 
gave  it  to  mankind,  and  taught  them  many  arts  whereby  tJieir 
wretchedness  was  lessened.  But  Zeus  being  wroth  with  Pro- 
metheus for  this  deed,  sent  Hephastos,  with  his  two  helpers, 
Strength  and  Force,  to  fetter  him  to  a  rock  on  Caucasos. 

And  in  yet  another  story  was  the  cruelty  of  the  Gods  made 
known.  For  Zeus  loved  lo,  t/ie  daughter  of  Inachos,  king  of 
Argos,  and  she  was  haunted  by  visions  of  the  night,  telling  her 
of  his  passion,  and  she  told  her  father  thereof.  And  Inachos, 
tending  to  the  God  at  Delphi,  was  told  to  drive  lo  forth  from 
her  home.  And  Zeus  gave  her  the  horns  of  a  cow,  and  Hera, 
who  hated  her  because  she  was  dear  to  Zeus,  sent  with  her  a 
gadfly  that  stung  her,  and  gave  her  no  rest,  and  drove  her  over 
many  lands. 

Note.— The  play  is  believed  to  have  been  the  second  of  a  Trilogy,  of 
which  the  first  was  Prometheus  the  Fire-giver,  and  the  third  Prowctiicvt 


Jlramatis 

PROMETHEUS. 
OKEANOS. 

HEPH.E8T08. 

HERMES. 

STRENGTH. 

FORCE. 

ChoriM  of  Ocean  Nymph? 


PKOMETHEUS  BOUND. 


SCENE. — Skythia,  on  the  heights  of  Caucasoa.     Th» 
JEuxine  seen  in  the  distance. 

Enter  HEPH^ESTOS,  STRENGTH,  and  FORCE,  leading 
PROMETHEUS  in  chains.1 

Strength.  Lo  !  to  a  plain,  earth's  boundary  remote, 
We  now  are  come, — the  tract  as  Skythian  known, 
A.  desert  inaccessible :  and  now, 
Hephaestos,  it  is  thine  to  do  the  hests 
The  Father  gave  thee,  to  these  lofty  craga 
To  bind  this  crafty  trickster  fast  in  chains 
X)f  adamantine  bonds  that  none  can  break ; 
\For  he  thy  choice  flower  stealing,  the  bright  glory 
yOf  fire  that  all  arts  spring  from,  hath  bestowed  it 
(On  mortal  men.     And  so  for  fault  like  this 
lie  now  must  pay  the  Gods  due  penalty, 
That  he  may  learn  to  bear  the  sovereign  rule  M 

Of  Zeus,  and  cease  from  his  philanthropy. 

Heph.  0  Strength,  andthou,  O  Force,  the  hest  of  Zeus, 
As  far  as  touches  you,  attains  its  end, 
And  nothing  hinders.     Yet  my  courage  fails 

(1)  The  scene  seems  at  first  an  exception  to  the  early  conventional  rule, 
which  forbade  the  introduction  of  a  third  actor  on  the  Greek  stage.  But 
it  has  been  noticed  that  (1)  1'orce  does  not  speak,  and  (2)  Prometheus 
does  not  speak  till  Strength  and  Force  have  retired,  and  that  it  is  there- 
fore probable  that  the  whole  work  of  nailing  is  done  on  a  lay  fig-ore  or 
effigy  of  some  kind,  and  that  one  of  the  two  who  had  before  taken  part  in 
the  dialogue  then  speaks  behind  it  in  the  character  of  Prometheus.  So 
the  same  actor  must  have  appeared  in  succession  as  Okeanoa,  lo,  and 


94  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

To  bind  a  God  of  mine  own  kin  by  force 
To  this  bare  rock  where  tempests  wildly  sweep ; 
And  yet  I  needs  must  muster  courage  for  it : 
'Tis  no  slight  thing  the  Father's  words  to  scorn. 

0  thou  of  Themis  [to  PKOMETUEUS]  wise  in  counsel  son, 
Full  deep  of  purpose,  lo  !  against  my  will,1 

1  fetter  theo  against  thy  will  with  bonds 

Of  bronze  that  none  can  loose,  to  this  lone  height, 
Where  thou  shalt  know  nor  voice  nor  face  of  man, 
But  scorching  in  the  hot  blaze  of  the  sun, 
Shalt  lose  thy  skin's  fair  beauty.     Thou  shalt  long 

(For  starry-mantled  night  to  hide  day's  sheen, 

(For  sun  to  melt  the  rime  of  early  dawn ; 
And  evermore  the  weight  of  present  ill 
Shall  wear  thee  down.     Unborn  as  yet  is  he 
Who  shall  release  thee  :  this  the  fate  thou  gain'st 
As  due  reward  for  thy  philanthropy. 
For  thou,  a  God  not  fearing  wrath  of  Gods, 
In  thy  transgression  gav'st  their  power  to  men ; 
And  therefore  on  this  rock  of  little  ease 
Thou  still  shalt  keep  thy  watch,  nor  lying  down, 
Nor  knowing  sleep,  nor  ever  bending  knee ; 
And  many  groans  and  wailings  profitless 
Thy  lips  shall  utter  ;  for  the  mind  of  Zeus 
Remains  inexorable.     Who  holds  a  power 
But  newly  gained  2  is  ever  stern  of  mood. 

^treiigth.  Let  be !     Why  linger  in  this  idle  pity  P 
Why  dost  not  hate  a  God  to  Gods  a  foe, 
Who  gave  thy  choicest  prize  to  mortal  men  ? 

Ifeph.  Strange  is  the  power  of  kin  and  intercourse.8 

(1)  Prometheus  (Forethought]  is  the  son  of  Themis  (RighC)  the  second 
occupant  of  the  Pythian  Oracle  (Eumen.  v.  2.)     His  sympathy  with  man 
leads  him  to  impart  the  gift  which  raised  them  out  of  savage  animal  life, 
and  for  this  Zeus,  who  appears  throughout  the  play  as  a  hard  taskmaster, 
sentences  him  to  fetters.    Hepheestos,  from     horn  this  fire  had  been 
stolen,  has  a  touch  of  pity  for  him.     Strength,  who  comes  as  the  servant, 
not  of  Hephsestos,  but  of  Zeus  himself,  acts,  as  such,  with  merciless  cruelty. 

(2)  The  generalised  statement  refers  to  Zeus,  as  having  but  recently 
expelled  Cronos  from  his  throne  in  Heaven. 

(3)  Hephsestos,  as  the  great  fire-worker,  had  taught  Prometheus  to  BM 
the  fire  which  lie  afterwards  bestowed  on  men. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  95 

Strength.  I  own  it ;  yet  to  slight  the  Father's  words,  ** 
How  may  that  be  ?    Is  not  that  fear  the  worse  ? 

Heph.  Still  art  thou  ruthless,  full  of  savagery. 

Strength.  There  is  no  help  in  weeping  over  him : 
Spend  not  thy  toil  on  things  that  profit  not. 

Heph.  O  handicraft  to  me  intolerable  ! 

Strength.  Why  loath' st  thou  it  ?     Of  these  thy  present 

griefs 
That  craft  of  thine  is  not  one  whit  the  cause. 

Heph.  And  yet  I  would  some  other  had  that  skill. 

Strength.  *A11  things   bring   toil  except  for  Gods  to 

reign ; l 
For  none  but  Zeus  can  boast  of  freedom  true.  60 

Heph.  Too  well  I  see  the  proof,  and  gainsay  not. 

Strength.  Wilt  thou  not  speed  to  fix  the  chains  on  him, 
Lest  He,  the  Fat  her,  see  thee  loitering  here  ? 

He^h.  Well,  here  the  handcuffs  thou  may'st  see  pre- 
pared. 

Strength.  In  thine  hands  take  him.     Then  with  all  thy 

might 
Strike  with  thine  hammer ;  nail  him  to  the  rocks. 

Heph.  The  work  goes  on,  I  ween,  and  not  in  vain. 

Strength.  Strike  harder,  rivet,  give  no  whit  of  ease : 
A  wondrous  knack  has  he  to  find  resource, 
Even  where  all  might  seem  to  baffle  him. 

Heph.  Lo !  this  his  arm  is  fixed  inextricably. 

Strength.  Now  rivet  thou  this  other  fast,  that  lie 
May  learn,  though  sharp,  that  he  than  Zeus  is  duller. 

Heph.  No  one  but  he  could  justly  blame  my  work. 

Strength.  Now   drive   the  stern  jaw   of  the  adamant 

wedge 
Eight  through  his  chest  with  all  the  strength  thou  hast. 

Heph.  Ah  me  !  Prometheus,  for  thy  woes  I  groan. 

Strength.  Again,  thou'rt  loth,  and  for  the  foes  of  Zeua 
Thou  graanest :  take  good  heed  to  it  lest  thou 
fcJre  long-  with  cause  thyself  commiserate. 

Heph.  Thou  see'st  a  sight  unsightly  to  our  eyes. 
f  i)  Peihups,  "  All  might  is  ours  except  o'er  Gods  to  rule." 


96  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

Strength.  I  see  this  man  obtaining  his  deserts  :  " 

Nay,  cast  thy  breast-chains  round  about  his  ribs. 

Heph.  I  must  needs  do  it.     Spare  thine  o'er  much  bid- 
ding ; 
Go  Ihou  below  and  rivet  both  his  legs.1 

Strength.  Nay,  I  will  bid  thee,  urge  thee  to  thy  work. 
Heph.     There,  it  is  done,  and  that  with  no  long  toil. 
Strength.  Now   with  thy   full  power  fix  the  galling 

fetters : 
Thou  hast  a  stern  o'erlooker  of  thy  work. 

Heph.  Thy  tongue  but  utters  words  that  match  thy 

form.2 
Strength.  Choose  thou  the  melting  mood ;    but  chide 

not  me 

For  my  self-will  and  wrath  and  ruthlessness.  *° 

Heph.  Now  let  us  go,  his  limbs  are  bound  in  chains. 
Strength.  Here  then    wax   proud,  and   stealing  what 

belongs 

To  the  Gods,  to  mortals  give  it.     What  can  they 
Avail  to  rescue  thee  from  these  thy  woes  ? 
Falsely  the  Gods  have  given  thee  thy  name, 
Prometheus,  Forethought ;  forethought  thou  dost  need 
To  free  thyself  from  this  rare  handiwork. 

[Exeunt  HEPEUESTOS,  STRENGTH,  and  FORCB, 

leaving  PKOMETHEUS  on  the  rock. 
Prom.3  Thou    firmament   of  God,    and    swift-winged 

winds, 

Ye  springs  of  rivers,  and  of  ocean  waves 
That  smile  innumerous  !     Mother  of  us  all,  M 

0  Earth,  and  Sun's  all-seeing  eye,  behold, 

1  pray,  what  I  a  God  from  Gods  endure. 

(1)  The  words  indicate  that  the  effigy  of  Prometheus,  now  nailed  to  the 
rock,  was,  as  being  that  of  a  Titan,  of  colossal  size. 

(2)  The  touch  is  characteristic  as  showing  that  here,  as  in  the  Eumenides, 
2Eschylos  relied  on  the  horribleness  of  the  masks,  as  part  of  the  machinery 
ol  his  plays. 

(3)  The  silence  of  Prometheus  up  to  this  point  was  partly,  as  has  been 
said,  consequent  on  the  conventional  laws  of  the  Greek  drama,  but  it  ia 
also  a  touch  of  supreme  insight  into  the  heroic  temper.    In  the  presencn 
of  his  torturers,  the  Titan  will  not  utter  even  a  groan.    When  they  ai* 
gone,  he  appeals  to  thu  symp.aUy  oi 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  97 

Beheld  in  what  foul  case 

I  for  tori  thousand  years 

Shall  struggle  in  my  woe, 

In  these  unseemly  chains. 
Such  doom  the  new-made  Monarch  of  the  Blest 

Hath  now  devised  for  me. 
Woe,  woe !     The  present  and  the  oncoming  pang 

I  wail,  as  I  search  out 
The  place  and  hour  when  end  of  all  these  ills 

Shall  dawn  on  me  at  last.  ** 

What  say  I  ?    All  too  clearly  I  foresee 
The  things  that  come,  and  nought  of  pain  shall  be 
By  me  unlooked-for ;  but  I  needs  must  bear 
My  destiny  as  best  I  may,  knowing  well 
The  might  resistless  of  Necessity. 
And  neither  may  I  speak  of  this  my  fate, 
Nor  hold  my  peace.     For  I,  poor  I,  through  giving 
Great  gifts  to  mortal  men,  am  prisoner  made 
In  these  fast  letters ;  yea,  in  fennel  stalk l 
I  snatched  the  hidden  spring  of  stolen  fire, 
Which  is  to  men  a  teacher  of  all  arts,  ** 

Their  chief  resource.     And  now  this  penalty 
Of  that  offence  I  pay,  fast  riveted 
In  chains  beneath  the  open  firmament. 

Ha!  ha!     What  now  ? 
What  sound,  what  odour  floats  invisibly  P  * 
Is  it  of  God  or  man,  or  blendinjr  both  !' 
And  has  one  come  to  this  remotest  rock 
To  look  upon  my  woes  '1    Or  what  wills  he  P 

(1)  The  legend  is  from  Hesiod,  (Theogon.  v.  567.)    The  fennel,  or  narfhex. 
•eems  to  have  been  a  large  umbelliferous  plant,  with  a  large  stem  filled 
With  a  sort  of  pith,  which  was  used  when  dry  as  tinder.     Stalks  were  car- 
ried as  wands  (the  thyrsi)  by  the  men  .and  women  who  joined  in  Baccha- 
nalian processions.    In  modern  botany,  the  name  is  given  to  the  plant 
which  produces  Asafu-tida,  and  the  stem  of  which,   from  its  resinous 
character,  would  burn  fieely.  and  so  connect  itself  with  the  Promethean 
myth.     On  the  other  hand,  the  Narthex  Asafaetida  is  found  at  present 
only  in  Persia,  Afghanistan,  and  the  I'unjiiub. 

(2)  The  ocean  nymphs,  like  other  divine  ones,  would  be  anointed  with 
ambrosial  unguents,  and  the  odour  would  be  wafted  before  them  by  the 
rustling  of  their  wings.    This  too  we  may  think  of  as  port  of  the  "  stag* 
•fleets"  of  the  play. 

H 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


Behold  me  bound,  a  God  to  evil  doomed, 

The  foe  of  Zeus,  and  held 

In  hatred  by  all  Gods  ** 

Who  tread  the  courts  of  Zeus: 

And  this  for  my  great  love, 

Too  great,  for  mortal  men. 

Ah  me  !  what  rustling  sounds 

Hear  I  of  birds  not  far  ? 

With  the  light  whirr  of  wings 

The  air  re-echoelh : 
All  that  draws  nigh  to  me  is  cause  of  fear.1 

Enter  Chorus  of  Ocean  Nymphs,  with  wings,  floating 
in  the  air.2 

Chor.  Nay,  fear  thou  nought :  in  love 

All  our  array  of  wings    • 

In  eager  race  hath  come  m 

To  this  high  peak,  full  hardly  gaining  o'er 

Our  Father's  mind  and  will ; 
And  the  swift-rushing  breezes  bore  me  on : 
For  lo  !  the  echoing  sound  of  blows  on  iron 
Pierced  to  our  cave's  recess,  and  put  to  flight 

My  shamef'ast  modesty, 
And  I  in  unshod  haste,  on  winged  car, 

To  thee  rushed  hit  herward. 
Prom.  Ah  me  !  ah  me  ! 

Offspring  of  Tuthys  blest  with  many  a  child,  ** 

Daughters  of  Old  Okeanos  that  rolls 
Bound  all  the  earth  with  never-sleeping  stream. 

Behold  ye  me,  and  see 

With  what  chains  fettered  fast, 
I  on  the  topmost  crags  of  this  ravine 
Shall  keep  my  sentry-post  unenviable. 
Chor.  I  see  it,  O  Prometheus,  and  a  mist 

(1)  The  -words  are  not  those  of  a  vaprue  terror  only.    Tha  sufferer  fcnr^rs 
thiit  his  tormentor  is  to  come  to  him  before  long  on  wings,  and  therefore 
the  sound  ns  of  the  flip-lit  of  birds  is  fill  I  of  terrors. 

(2)  By  some  stujre  ineuhiinism  the  Chorus  i  cumins  in  the  ail' till  verse 
Z80,  when,  at  the  request  of  Prometheus,  thtj-  aiigat. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  99 

Of  fear  and  full  of  tears  comes  o'er  mine  eyes, 

Thy  frame  beholding  thus, 

Writhing  on  these  high  rocks  *** 

In  adamantine  ills. 
New  pilots  now  o'er  high  Olympos  rale, 

And  with  new-fashioned  laws 

Zeus  reigns,  down-trampling  right, 
And  all  the  ancient  powers  He  sweeps  away. 

Prom.  Ah  !  would  that  'neath  the  Earth,  'neatli  Hades 

too, 

Home  of  the  dead,  far  down  to  Tartaros  *** 

Unfathomable  He  in  fetters  fast 

In  wrath  had  hurled  me  down : 

So  neither  had  a  God 
Nor  any  other  mocked  at  these  my  woes ; 
But  now,  the  wretched  plaything  of  the  winds,  V 
I  suffer  ills  at  which  my  foes  rejoice. 
Chor.  Nay,  which  of  all  the  Gods 
Is  so  hard-hearted  as  to  joy  in  this  ? 
Who,  Zeus  excepted,  doth  not  pity  thee 

In  these  thine  ills  ?    But  He, 

Ruthless,  with  soul  unbent, 

Subdues  the  heavenly  host,  nor  will  He  cease  *  ** 

Until  his  heart  be  satiate  with  power, 
Or  some  one  seize  with  subtle  stratagem 
The  sovran  might  that  so  resistless  seemed. 

Prom.  Nay,  of  a  truth,  though  put  to  evil  shame, 

In  massive  fetters  bound, 

The  Ruler  of  the  Gods 
Shall  yet  have  need  of  me,  yes,  e'en  of  me, 

To  tell  the  counsel  new 

That  seeks  to  strip  from  him 
His  sceptre  and  his  might  of  sovereignty. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


In  vain  "will  He  with  words 
Or  suasion's  honeyed  charms 
Sooth  me,  nor  will  I  tell 
Through  fear  of  his  stern  threats, 
Ere  He  shall  set  me  free 
From  these  my  honds,  and  make, 
Of  his  own  choice,  amends 
For  all  these  outrages. 
Chor.  Full  rash  art  thou,  and  yield'st 
In  not  a  jot  to  bitterest  form  of  woe  ; 
Thou  art  o'er-free  and  reckless  in  thy  speech : 
But  piercing  fear  hath  stirred 
My  inmost  soul  to  strife  ; 
For  I  fear  greatly  touching  thy  distress, 
As  to  what  haven  of  these  woes  of  thine  ' 

Thou  now  must  steer  :  the  son  of  Cronos  hath 
A  stubborn  mood  and  heart  inexorable. 
Prom.  I  know  that  Zeus  is  hard, 
And  keeps  the  Eight  supremely  to  himself; 
But  then,  I  trow,  He'll  bo 
Full  pliant  in  his  will, 
When  Ho  is  thus  crushed  down. 
Then,  calming  down  his  mood 
Of  hard  and  bitter  wrath, 
He'll  hasten  unto  me, 
As  I  to  him  shall  haste, 
For  friendship  and  for  peace. 
Chor.  Hide  it  not  from  us,  tell  us  all  the  tale : 
"For  what  offence  Zeus,  having  seized  thee  thus, 
So  wantonly  and  bitterly  insults  thee : 
If  the  tale  hurt  thee  not,  inform  thou  us. 

Prom.  Painful  are  these  things  to  me  e'en  to  speak  I 
Painful  is  silence  ;  everywhere  is  woe. 
For  when  the  high  Gods  fell  on  mood  of  wrath, 
And  hot  debate  of  mutual  strife  was  stirred, 
Some  wishing  to  hurl  Cronos  from  his  throne, 
That  Zeus,  forsooth,  might  reign ;  while  others  strove, 
Eager  that  Zeus  might  never  rule  the  Gods : 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  IOI 

Then  I,  full  strongly  seeking  to  persuade 

The  Titans,  yea,  the  sons  of  Heaven  and  Earth, 

Failed  of  my  purpose.     Scorning  subtle  arts, 

With  counsels  violent,  they  thought  that  they 

By  force  would  pain  full  easy  mastery. 

But  then  not  once  or  twice  my  mother  Themis 

And  Earth,  one  form  though  bearing  many  names,* 

Had  prophesied  the  future,  how  'twould  run, 

That  not  by  strength  nor  yet  by  violence, 

But  guile,  should  those  who  prospered  gain  the  day. 

And  when  in  my  words  I  this  counsel  gave, 

They  deigned  not  e'en  to  glance  at  it  at  all. 

And  then  of  all  that  offered,  it  seemed  best 

To  join  my  mother,  and  of  mine  own  will, 

Not  against  his  will,  take  my  side  with  Zeus, 

And  by  my  counsels,  mine,  the  dark  deep  pit 

Of  Tartaros  the  ancient  Cronos  holds, 

Himself  and  his  allies.     Thus  profiting 

By  me,  the  mighty  ruler  of  the  Gods  ** 

Repays  me  with  these  evil  penalties  : 

For  somehow  this  disease  in  sovereignty 

Inheres,  of  never  trusting  to  one's  friends.* 

And  since  ye  ask  me  under  what  pretence 

He  thus  maltreats  me,  I  will  show  it  you : 

For  soon  as  He  upon  his  father's  throne 

Had  sat  secure,  forthwith  to  divers  Gods 

He  divers  gifts  distributed,  and  his  realm 

Began  to  order.     But  of  mortal  men 

He  took  no  heed,  but  purposed  utterly 

To  crush  their  race  and  plant  another  new; 

And,  I  excepted,  none  dared  cross  his  will ; 

But  I  did  dare,  and  mortal  men  I  freed 

From  passing  on  to  Hades  thunder-stricken ; 

(1)  The  words  leave  it  uncertain  -whether  Themis  is  identified  wi*h 
Earth,  or,  as  in  the  Kummitles.  (v.  2.)  di  ting-uish  •(!  f -om  her.  The  iLa  a 
a-*  a  class,  then,  children  of  Oi-eanos  ai  d  Chthon  (another  name  fir 
L*nil  or  Earth,)  are  i  he  kin  lied  rathe  •  ,  him  the  brothers  of  Pi  ometheus. 

(8)  The  generalising  word-  her",  as  in  v.  35,  appeal  to  the  Athenian 
hatred  oi  uU  lhat  was  represented  by  the  words  tyrant  and  tyranny. 


IO2  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

And  therefore  am  I  bound  beneath  these  woes, 

Dreadful  to  suffer,  pitiable  to  see  : 

And  I,  who  in  my  pity  thought  of  men 

More  than  myself,  have  not  been  worthy  deemed 

To  gain  like  favour,  but  all  ruthlessly 

I  thus  am  chained,  foul  shame  this  sight  to  Zeus. 

Chor.  Iron- hearted  must  he  be  and  made  of  rock       **• 
Who  is  not  me  ved,  Prometheus,  by  thy  woes  : 
Fain  could  I  wish  I  ne'er  had  seen  such  things, 
And,  seeing  them,  am  wounded  to  the  heart. 

I'nt'iti.  Yea,  I  am  piteous  for  my  friends  to  see. 

Chor.  Did'st  thou  not  go  to  farther  lengths  than  this  ? 

From.  I  made  men  cease  from  contemplating  death.1 

A     Chor.  What  medicine  did'st  thou  find  for  that  disease  ? 
Prom.  Blind  hopes  I  gave    to  live  and   dwell  with 
them. 

Chor.  Great  service  that  thou  did'st  for  mortal  men  ! 

Prom.  And  more  than  that,  I  gave  them  fire,  yes  I.     zei 

Chor.  Do  short-lived  men  the  flaming  fire  possess  ? 

Prom.  Yea,  and  i'ull  many  an  art  they'll  learn  from  it. 

Chor.  And  is  it  then  on  charges  such  as  these 
That  Zeus  maltreats  thee,  and  no  respite  gives 
Of  many  woes  ?    And  has  thy  pain  no  end  ? 

Prom.  End  there  is  none,  except  as  pleases  Him. 

Chor.  How  shall  it  please  ?     What  hope  hast  thou  P 

See'st  not 

That  thou  hast  sinned  ?    Yet  to  say  how  thou  sinned'st 
Gives  me  no  pleasure,  and  is  pain  to  thee. 
Well !  let  us  leave  these  things,  and,  if  we  may, 
Seek  out  some  means  to  'scape  from  this  thy  woe.          *" 

Prom.  'Tis  a  light  thing  for  one  who  has  his  foot 
Beyond  the  reach  of  evil  to  exhort 
And  counsel  him  who  suffers.     This  to  me 
Wat  all  well  known.     Yea,  willing,  willingly 

(1)  The  stite  desc  ibad  is  that  of  men  \vho  "  1  hrough  fear  of  death  are 
ah  their  lif.'time  subject  to   boi  d'jre.  hat  state,   the  paient  of  all 

8np  rstitiui.  fos  ere. I  tli  slavi  li  awe  in  which  Z  us  deliph  i  d.  Promc- 
iu-;us.  l£pie?  ntinfc  the  active  intellect  fit'  in..in,  bet  tows  new  powers,  new 
Interests,  new  houus,  wh.ch  at  Li.-t  iLvert  thu.u  fro...  that  icar. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


I  sinned,  nor  will  deny  it.     Helping  men, 
I  for  myself  found  trouble  :  yet  I  thought  not 
That  I  with  such  dread  penalties  as  these 
Should  wither  here  on  these  high-towering  crags, 
Lighting  on  this  lone  hill  and  ueighbourless. 
Wherefore  wail  not  for  these  my  present  woes, 
But,  drawing  uigh,  my  coming  fortunes  hear, 
That  ye  may  learn  the  whole  tale  to  the  end. 
Nay,  hearken,  hearken  ;  show  your  sympathy 
With  him  who  suffers  now.     'Tis  thus  that  woe, 
Wandering,  now  falls  on  this  one,  now  on  that. 
Chor.  Not  to  unwilling  hearers  hast  thou  uttered, 

Prometheus,  thy  request, 
And  now  with  nimble  foot  abandoning 

My  swiftly  rushing  car, 

And  the  pure  aether,  path  of  birds  of  heaven,  *** 

I  will  draw  near  this  rough  and  rocky  land, 

For  much  do  I  desire 
To  hear  this  tale,  full  measure,  of  thy  woes. 

Enter  OKEA^OS,  on  a  car  drawn  by  a  ivingcd  grypJton. 
Okean.  Lo,  I  come  to  thee,  Prometheus, 

Beaching  goal  of  distant  journey,1 

Guiding  this  my  winged  course?) 

By  my  will,  without  a  bridle  ;    S 

And  thy  sorrows  move  my  pity. 

Force,  in  part,  I  deem,  of  kindred 

Leads  me  on,  nor  know  I  any, 

Whom,  apart  from  kin,  I  honour  "° 

More  than  thee,  in  fuller  measure. 

This  thou  shalt  own  true  and  earnest  : 

I  deal  not  in  glozing  speeches. 

Come  then,  tell  me  how  to  help  thee  : 

Ne'er  shalt  thou  say  that  one  more  friendly 

Is  found  than  unto  thee  is  Okean. 
Prom.  Let  be.    What  boots  it  ':    Thou  then  too  art  come 

il)  The  home  of  Okeanos  was  in  the  far  west,  HI  the  boundary    f  the 
great,  stream  surniuneUiijj  the   whole  world,  irom   which,   he  too.c  hu 


104  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

To  gaze  upon  my  sufferings.     How  did'st  dare 

Leaving  the  stream  that  bears  thy4  name,  and  caves 

Hewn  in  the  living  rock,  this  land  to  visit, 

Mother  of  iron  ?    What  then,  art  thou  come 

To  gaze  upon  my  fall  and  offer  pity  ?  *• 

Behold  this  sight :  see  here  the  friend  of  Zeus, 

Who  helped  t.o  seat  him  in  his  sovereignty, 

With  what  foul  outrage  I  am  crushed  by  him  ! 

Okean.  I  see,  Prometheus,  and  I  wish  to  give  thee 
My  best  advice,  all  subtle  though  thou  be. 
Know  ihou  thyself,1  and  fit  thy  soul  to  moods 
To  thee  full  new.     New  king  the  Gods  have  now ; 
But  if  thou  utter  words  thus  rough  and  sharp, 
Perchance,  though  sitting  far  away  on  high,  B0 

Zeus  yet  may  hear  thee,  and  his  present  wrath 
Seem  to  thee  but  as  child's  play  of  distress. 
Nay,  thou  poor  sufferer,  quit  the  rage  thou  hast, 
And  seek  a  remedy  for  these  thine  ills. 
A  tale  thrice-told,  perchance,  I  seem  to  speak : 
Lo  !  this,  Prometheus,  is  the  punishment 
Of  thine  o'er  lofty  speech,  nor  art  thou  yet 
Humbled,  nor  yieldest  to  thy  miseries, 
And  fain  would' st  add  fresh  evils  unto  these. 
But  thou,  if  thou  wilt  take  me  as  thy  teacher,  "• 

Wilt  not  kick  out  against  the  pricks ; 3  seeing  well 
A  monarch  reigns  who  gives  account  to  none. 
And  now  I  go,  and  will  an  effort  make, 
If  I,  perchance,  may  free  thee  from  thy  woes ; 
Be  still  then,  hush  thy  petulance  of  speech, 
Or  knowest  thou  not,  o'er-clever  as  thou  art, 
That  idle  tongues  must  still  their  forfeit  pay  ? 

Prom.  I  envy  thee,  seeing  thou  art  free  from  blamo 
Though  thou  shared'st  all,  and  in  my  cause  wast  bold ;  s 

(1)  <~>ne  of  the  siyings  of  the  Seven  Sages,  already  recognised  and 
jnoted  as  a  familiar  vroverb. 

(2)  See  note  on  Again.  1602. 

(3)  Inlhe  mythos,  Ukeanos  had  given  hi*  daughter  Tlesione  in  mar- 
riape  to  Pro    etheus  after  th .-  theft  of  fire,  and  thus  had  Men  .iiied  himself 
w.tli  his  transgression. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


Nay,  let  ine  be,  nor  trouble  thou  thyself  ; 
Thou  wilt  not,  canst  not  soothe  Him  ;  very  hard 
Is  He  of  soothing.     Look  to  it  thyself, 
Lest  thou  some  mischief  meet  with  in  the  way. 
.  Okean.  It  is  thy  wont  thy  neighbours'  minds  to  school 
Far  better  than  thine  owu.     1'rom  deeds,  not  words, 
I  draw  my  proof.     But  do  not  draw  me  back 
When  I.  am  hasting  on,  for  lo,  I  deem, 
I  deem  that  Zeus  will  grant  this  boon  to  me, 
That  I  should  free  thee  from  these  woes  of  thine. 

Pram.  I  thank  thee  much,  yea,  ne'er  will  cease  to 

thank  ; 

For  thou  no  whit  of  zeal  dost  lack  ;  yet  take, 
I  pray,  no  trouble  for  me  ;  all  in  vain 
Thy  trouble,  nothing  helping,  e'en  if  thou 
Should'st  care  to  take  the  trouble.     Nay,  be  still  ; 
Keep  out  of  harm's  way  ;  sufferer  though  I  be, 
I  would  not  therefore  wish  to  give  my  woes 
A  wider  range  o'er  others.     No,  not  so  : 
For  lo  !  my  mind  is  wearied  with  the  grief 
Of  that  my  kinsman  Atlas,1  who  doth  stand 
In  the  far  West,  supporting  on  his  shoulders 
The  pillars  of  the  earth  and  heaven,  a  burden 
His  arms  can  ill  but  hold  :  I  pity  too 
The  giant  dweller  of  Kilikian  caves,  "* 

Dread  portent,  with  his  hundred  hands,  subdued 
By  force,  the  mighty  Typhon,2  who  arose 

(1)  In  the  Thengony  of  Hesiod,  (v.  509,)  Prometheus  and  Atlis  appear  M 
th"  sons  of  tw  >  sistt/rs.  As  other  Titans  were  thought  of  as  buried  under 
volcanoes,  so  thi  .  one  wa<  identified  with  the  mountain  which  had  been 
seen  bv  traveller*  to  Western  Africa,  or  in  the  seas  beyond  it,  rising  like 
a  column  t<>  support  the  vault  o.  heaven.  In  Herodotos  (iv.  174)  and  all 
la  vv  writers,  the  name  is  given  to  the  chain  of  mountains  in  Lybia,  as 


one  time  volcanic.  Homer  ( Odyss.  i.  531  represents  him  as  holding  the 
pillars  which  separate  hea-.en  from  oiuth;  nesiod  (Thtogon.  v.  517)  aa 
himself  standing  near  the  Hesperides.  (this  too  points  t.^  Teneriffe)  sus- 
tai1  ing  th  •  heavens  with  his  he  id  and  shoulders. 

(2)  Th  -  volcanic  charac.er  of  the  whole  of  Asia  Minor,  and  the  liability 
to  earthquakes  which  has  marked  nearly  i-very  period  of  its  history,  led 
men  to  connect  it  also  with  the  traditions  o.  Uie  Titans,  some  accordingly 


106  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

'Gainst  all  the  Gods,  with  sharp  and  dreadful  jawa 

Hissing  out  slaughter,  and  from  out  his  eyes 

There  flushed  the  terrihle  brightness  as  of  one 

Who  would  lay  low  the  sovereignty  of  Zeus. 

But  Ihe  unsleeping  dart  of  Zous  came  on  him, 

Down-arwooping  thunderbolt  that  breathes  out  flame, 

Which  from  his  lofiy  boas!  ings  startled  him, 

For  he  i'  the  heart  was  struck,  to  ashes  burnt,  ** 

His  strength  all  thunder- shattered;  and  he  lies 

A  helpless,  powerless  carcase,  near  the  strait 

Of  the  great  sea,  last  pressed  beneath  the  roots 

Of  ancient  JEtna,  where  on  highest  peak 

Hephrestos  sits  and  smites  his  iron  red-hot, 

From  whence  hereafter  streams  of  fire  shall  burst,1 

Devouring  with  fierce  jaws  the  golden  plains 

Of  fruitful,  fair  Sikelia.     Such  the  wrath 

That  Typhon  shall  belch  forth  with  bursts  of  storm, 

Hot,  breathing  fire,  and  unapproachable, 

Though  burnt  and  charred  by  thunderbolts  of  Zeus.      3tt 

Not  inexperienced  art  thou,  nor  dost  need 

My  teaching  :  save  thyself,  as  thou  know'st  how; 

And  I  will  drink  my  fortune  to  the  dregs, 

Till  from  his  wrath  the  mind  of  Zeus  shall  rest.8 

Okean.  Know'st  thou  not  this,  Prometheus,  even  this, 
Of  wrath's  disease  wise  words  the  healers  are  ? 

Prom.  Yea,    could  one  soothe  the  troubled  heart  in 

time, 
Nor  seek  by  force  to  tame  the  soul's  proud  flesh. 

Okean.  But  in  due  forethought  with  bold  daring  blent, 
What  mischief  see'st  tho\i  lurking  ?     Tell  me  this.         39° 

Prom.  Toil  bootless,  and  simplicity  full  fond. 

placing  the  home  of  Typhon  in  Phrygia,  some  near  Sardis,  some,  as  here, 
in  Kilikia.  Hesiod  ( '] heognn.  v.  820)  describes  Typhon  (or  Typhoeus)  oa 
a  serpent-monster  hissing  out  fire  ;  Pindai  (J'yt/t.  i.  30,  viii.  21)  as  lying 
with  his  head  and  i>reast  crushed  bei.eath  the  weight  of  21£tnu,  and  his 
feet  extending1  ,o  fumse. 

(1)  The  words  point  pr  bably  to  an  eruption,  then  fresh  ia  mtn'f 
memorie-,  which    ad  happened  B.C.  476. 

(2)  Bv  sonic  editors  this  opoech  from  "No,  not  so,"  to  "  th-u knotr  ;t 
tow,"  is  assigned  to  ULt-ouus. 


PROMETHKUS    BOUND. 


Okean.  Let  me,  I  pray,  that  sickness  suffer,  since 
Tis  best  being  wise  to  have  not  wisdom's  show. 

From.  Nay,  but  this  error  shall  b«  deemed  as  mine. 
Okean.  Thy  word  then  clearly  sends  mo  home  at  once. 
Prom.  Yea,  lest  thy  pity  for  me  make  a  foe.  .  .  . 
Okean.  What !  of  that  new  king  on  his  mighty  throne  * 
Prom.  Look  to  it,  lest  his  heart  be  vexed  with  thee. 
Okean.  Thy  fate,  Prometheus,  teaches  me  that  lesson. 
Prom.  Away,    withdraw !    keep  thou   the  mind   thou 
hast.  40« 

Okean.  Thou  urgest  me  who  nm  in  act  to  haste ; 
For  this  my  bird  four-footed  flaps  with  wings 
The  clear  path  of  ilia  eether;  and  full  fain 
Would  he  bend  knee  in  his  own  stall  at  home.          [Exit. 

STKOPH.  L 

Chor.  I  grieve,  Prometheus,  for  thy  dreary  fate, 
Shedding  from  tender  eyes 
The  dew  of  plenteous  tears ; 
With  streams,  as  when  the  watery  south  wind  blows, 

My  cheek  is  wet ;  iie 

For  lo  !  these  things  are  all  unenviable, 
And  Zeus,  by  his  own  laws  his  sway  maintaining, 
Shows  to  the  elder  Gods 
A  mood  of  haughtiness. 

ANTISTROPH.  I. 
And  all  the  country  echoeth  with  the  moan, 

And  poureth  many  a  tear 

For  that  magnific  power 
Of  ancient  days  far-seen  that  thou  did'st  share 

With  those  of  one  blood  sprung  ; 

And  all  the  mortal  men  who  hold  the  plain  *• 

Oi  holy  Asia  as  their  land  of  sojourn, 

They  grieve  in  sympathy 

For  thy  woes  lamentable. 

STROPIT.  n. 

And  they,-  the  maiden  band  who  find  their  home 
On  distant  Colchian  coasts, 


108  PEOilETHEUS    BOUND. 

Fearless  of  fight,1 

Or  Skythian  horde  in  earth's  remotest  clim«, 
By  far  Maeotic  lake  ; t 

AXTISTBOPH.  IL 

*And  warlike  glory  of  Arabia's  tribes,' 

Who  nigh  to  Caucasus  ** 

In  rock-fort  dwell, 
An  army  fearful,  with  sharp-pointed  spear 

Baging  iii  war's  array. 

STBOPH.  TTT. 

One  other  Titan  only  have  I  seen, 
One  other  of  the  Gods, 

Thus  bound  in  woes  of  adamantine  strength- 
Atlas,  who  ever  groans 

Beneath  the  burden  of  a  crushing  might, 
The  out-spread  vault  of  heaven. 

ANTISTBOPH.  m. 
And  lo  !  the  ocean  billows  murmur  loud  *** 

In  one  accord  with  him  ;  * 
The  sea-depths  groan,  and  Hades'  swarthy  pit 

Re-echoeth  the  sound, 
And  fountains  of  clear  rivers,  as  they  flow, 

Bewail  his  bitter  griefs. 

Prom.  Think  not  it  is  through  pride  or  stiff  self-will 
That  I  am  silent.     But  my  heart  is  worn, 
Self-contemplating,  as  I  see  myself 
Thus  outraged.     Yet  what  other  hand  than  mine 

(1)  These  are,  of  course,  the  Amazons,  who  were  believed  to  have  oome 
through  Thiake  from  the  Tauric  Chersones'-s,  and  had  left  traces  of  their 
name  ;md  habits  in  the  Attic  traditions  of  Theseus. 

(2)  Beyond  the  plains  of  Skythia,  and  the  l;ike  Mseotis  (the  sea  of  Azov) 
there  would  be  the  great  river  Okeanos,  which  was  belie .  ed  to  flow  round 
the  earth. 

(3)  Sarmatia  has  been  conjectured  instead   of  Arabia.     No   Greek 
author  sanct  ons  the  extension  of  the  latter  name  to  so  remote  a  region 
as  that  north  of  the  Caspian. 

(4)  The  Greek  leaves  the  ob;ect  of  th-1  sympathy  undefined,  but  it 
•eems  better  to  refer  it  to  that  which  Atlas  receives  from  the  wa.cte  of 
waters  around,  and  the  dark  world  bent-.-ith,  than  to  the  pity  shown  to 
Prometheus.    This  had  already  been  dwelt  oil  iii  li 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  IO9 

Gave  these  young  Gods  in  fulness  all  their  gifts  ? 

But  these  I  speak  not  of ;  for  I  should  tell 

To  you  that  know  them.     But  those  woes  of  men,1        ** 

List  ye  to  them, — how  they,  before  as  babes, 

By  me  were  roused  to  reason,  taught  to  think ; 

And  this  I  say,  not  finding  fault  with  men, 

But  showing  my  good-will  in  all  I  gave. 

For  first,  though  seeing,  all  in  vain  they  saw, 

And  hearing,  heard  not  rightly.     But,  like  forms 

Of  phantom- dreams,  throughout  their  life's  whole  length 

They  muddled  all  at  random ;  did  not  know 

Houses  of  brick  that  catch  the  sunlight's  warmtli, 

Nor  yet  the  work  of  carpentry.     They  dwelt 

In  hollowed  holes,  like  swarms  of  tiny  ants,  ** 

In  sunless  depths  of  caverns ;  and  they  had 

No  certain  signs  of  winter,  nor  of  spring 

Flower-ladeu,  nor  of  summer  with  her  fruits ; 

But  without  counsel  fared  thoir  whole  life  long, 

Until  I  showed  the  risings  of  the  stars, 

And  settings  hard  to  recognise.2    And  I 

Found  Number  for  them,  chief  device  of  all, 

*Groupings  of  letters,  Memory's  handmaid  that, 

And  mother  of  the  Muses.3    And  I  first 

Bound  in  the  yoke  wild  steeds,  submissive  made  ** 

Or  to  the  collar  or  men's  limbs,  that  so 

They  might  in  man's  place  bear  his  greatest  toils ; 

And  horses  trained  to  love  the  rein  I  yoked 

To  chariots,  glory  of  wealth's  pride  of  state ;  * 

Nor  was  it  any  one  but  I  that  found 

(1)  The  passage  that  follows [has  for  modern  palaeontologists  the  inte- 
rest of  coinciding  with  their  views  as  to  the  progress  of  human  society, 
and  trie  condition  of  mankind  during  what  has  been  called  the  "  Stone  •* 
period.    Comp.  Lucretius,  v.  955-984. 

(2)  Comp.  Mr.  Blakesiey's  note  on  Herod,  ii.  4,  as  showing  that  here 
there  was  the  greater  risk  of  faulty  observation. 

(3)  Another  reading  gives  perhaps  a  better  sense — 

"  Memory,  handmaid  true 
And  mother  of  the  Muses." 

(4)  In  '"'reece,  as  throughout  the  East,  the  ox  was  used  for  all  agricul- 
tural labours,  the  horse  by  the  noble  awl  the  rich,  either  in  war  chariot*, 
or  stately  processions,  o:  in  chariot  races  in  the  great  Barnes. 


IIO  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


Sea-crossing,  canvas-winged  cars  of  ships: 
Such  rare  designs  inventing  (wretched  me !) 
For  mortal  men,  I  ;  et  have  no  device 
15y  which  to  free  myself  from  this  my  woe.1 

Chor.  Foul   shame  thou  sufferest:  of  thy  sense    be- 
reaved, *• ' 
Thou  errest  greatly  :  and,  like  leech  unskilled, 
Thou  losest  heart  when  smitten  with  disease, 
And  know'st  not  how  to  find  the  remedies 
Wherewith  to  heal  thine  own  soul's  sicknesses. 

Prom.  Hearing  what  yet  remains  ihou'lt  wonder  more, 
What  arts  and  what  resources  I  deviled  : 
And  this  the  chief:  if  any  one  fell  ill, 
There  was  no  help  for  him,  nor  healing  food, 
Nor  unguent,  nor  yet  potion ;  but  for  want 
Of  drugs  they  wasted,  till  I  showed  to  them 
The  blendinyrs  of  all  mild  medicaments,2  *90 

Wherewith  they  ward  the  attacks  of  sickness  sore. 
1  gave  them  many  modes  of  prophecy  ;  3 
And  I  first  taught  them  what  dreams  needs  must  prove 
True  visions,  and  made  known  the  ominous  sounds 
Full  hard  to  know ;  and  tokens  by  the  way, 
And  flights  of  taloned  birds  I  clearly  marked,— 
Those  on  the  right  propitious  to  mankind. 
And  those  sinister, — and  what  form  of  life 
They  each  maintain,  and  what  their  enmities 
Each  with  the  other,  and  their  loves  and  friendships ;    "^ 
And  of  the  inward  parts  the  plumpness  fcmooth, 

(1)  Compare  with  this  the  account  of  the  inventions  of  Falamedes  in 
Sophocles,  Fragm.  379. 

(2i  Herf  we  can  recognise  the  knowledge  of  one  who  had  studied  in 
the  schools  of  Pythagoras,  or  had  at  any  rate  picked  up  their  terminology. 
A  more  immediate  connexion  mav  perhaps  be  traced  with  the  influence 
of  Epimenides,  who  was  said  to  have  spent  many  rears  in  searching 
out  the  healing  virtu  s  of  plants,  and  to  have  written  books  about  them. 

(3)  The  lines  that  follow  form  almost  a  manna,  of  the  art  of  divinatior 
as  then  practised.  The  "ominou-  sounds"  include  ch.ince  words, 
strai  ge  cries,  nny  unexpected  utterance  that  conn  cted  itself  with  men'i 
feai s  for  the  future.  The  flights  of  birds  were  watched  by  t ;>e  diviner 
as  he  faced  the  north,  and  s  >  the  region  on  the  right  h:md  was  that  of  the 
sunrise,  light,  blessedness  ;  on  the  left  there  were  dai  kness  and  gloom 
and  death. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  Ill 

And  with  what  colour  they  the  Gods  would  please, 

And  the  streaked  comeliness  of  gall  and  liver  : 

And  with  burnt  limbs  enwrapt  in  fat,  and  chine, 

I  led  men  on  to  art  full  difficult : 

And  I  gave  eyes  to  omens  drawn  from  fire, 

Till  then  dim-visioned.     So  far  then  for  this. 

And  'neath  the  earth  the  hidden  boons  for  men, 

Bronze,  iron,  silver,  gold,  who  else  could  say  "• 

That  he,  ere  I  did,  found  them  ?     None,  I  know, 

Unless  he  fain  would  babble  idle  words. 

In  one  short  word,  then,  loai'ii  the  truth  condensed,— 

All  arts  of  mortals  from  Prometheus  spring. 

Clior.  Nay,  bo  not  thou  to  men  so  over-kind, 
While  thou  thyself  art  in  sore  evil  case ; 
For  I  am  sanguine  that  thou  too,  released 
From  bonds,  shalt  be  as  strong  as  Zeus  himself. 

Prom.  It  is  not  thus  that  Fate's  decree  is  fixed ; 
But  I,  long  crushed  with  twice  ten  thousand  woes          *** 
And  bitter  pains,  shall  then  escape  my  bonds ; 
Art  is  far  weaker  than  Necessity. 

Chor.  Who  guides  the  helm,  then,  of  Necessity  P 

Prom.  Fates  triple-formed,  Eriunyes  unforgetting. 

Chor.  Is  Zeus,  then,  weaker  in  his  might  than  these  ? 

Prom.  Not  even  He  can  'scape  the  thing  decreed. 

Chor.  What  is  decreed  for  Zeus  but  still  to  reign  P 

Prom.  Thoumay'st  no  further  learn,  ask  thou  no  more. 

Chor.  'Tis  doubtless  some  dread  secret  which   thou 
hidest. 

Prom.  Of  other  theme  make  mention,  for  the  time    K* 
Is  not  yet  come  to  utter  this,  but  still 
It  must  be  hidden  to  the  uttermost ; 
For  by  thus  keeping  it  it  is  that  I 
Escape  my  bondage  foul,  and  these  my  pains. 

STKOPH.  L 

Chor.  Ah !  no'er  may  Zeus  the  Lord, 
Whose  sovran  sway  rules  all, 
His  strength  in  conflict  set 


Ill  PROMETHKUS    BOUND. 

Against  my  feeble  will ! 
Nor  may  I  fail  to  serve 
The  Gods  with  holy  least 
Of  whole  burnt-otferiugs, 
Where  the  stream  ever  flows 
That  bears  my  father's  name, 
The  great  Okeanos ! 
Nor  may  I  sin  in  speech ! 
May  this  grace  more  and  more 
Sink  deep  into  my  soul 
And  never  fade  away  I 

ASTIBTBOPH.  L 

Sweet  is  it  in  strong  hope 
To  spend  long  years  of  life, 
With  bright  and  cheering  joy 
Our  heart's  thoughts  nourishing. 
I  shudder,  seeing  thee 
Thus  vexed  and  harassed  sore 
By  twice  ten  thousand  woes ; 
For  thou  in  pride  ot  heart, 
Having  no  fear  of  Zeus, 
In  thine  own  obstinacy, 
Dost  show  for  mortal  men, 
Prometheus,  love  o'erinuch. 

STBOPH.  n. 

See  how  that  boon,  dear  friends, 
For  thee  is  bootless  found. 
Say,  where  is  any  help  ? 
What  aid  from  mortals  comes  P 
Hast  thou  not  seen  this  brief  and  powerless  life, 
Fleeting  as  dreams,  with  which  man's  purblind  race 
Is  fast  in  fetters  bound  ? 
Never  shall  counsels  vain 
Of  mortal  men  break  through 
The  harmony  of  Zeus. 
ANTISTROPH.  n. 

This  lesson  have  I  learnt 


J&OMKTHKUS    BOUND.  II] 


Beholding  thy  sad  fate, 

Prometheus !     Other  strains 

Come  back  upon  my  a  hid, 
When  I  sang  wedding  hymns  around  thy  bath, 
And  at  thy  bridal  bed,  when  thou  did'st  take 

In  wedlock's  holy  bands 

One  of  the  same  sire  born, 

Our  own  Hesione, 

Persuading  her  with  gifts 

As  wife  to  share  thy  couch. 

Enter  Io  inform  like  a  fair  woman  with  a  heifer' I  horrw,1 

fo/lowtd  by  the  Spectre  of  ARGOS. 
Io.  What  land  is  this?      What  people?      Whom 

shall  I 

Say  that  I  see  thus  vexed 
With  bit  and  curb  of  rock  P 
For  what  oll'ence  dost  thou 
Bear  fatal  punishment  ? 
Tell  me  to  what  far  land 
I've  wandered  here  in  woe. 

Ah  mo  !  ah  mo  ! 
Again  the  gadfly  stings  me  miserable. 

Spectre  of  Argos,  thou,  the  earth-born  one— 
Ah,  keep  him  off,  0  Earth  ! 
I  fear  to  look  upon  that  herdsman  dread,  *• 

Him  with  ten  thousand  eyes  : 
Ah  Io !  he  cometh  with  his  crafty  look, 
Whom  Earth  refuses  even  dead  to  hold ;  * 

(1)  80  lo  was  represented,  we  are  told,  by  Greek  sculptors,  (Herod,  ii. 
41.)  as  Isis  w.is  by  those  of- Egypt.    Tiie  points  ot  cont:ict  between  the 
myt.i  of  Io  and  that  bf  Prometheus,  as  adopted,  or  perhaps  developed,  by 
JKschylos,  are — (1)  that  from     er  the  destined  deliverer  of  the  chained 
Tit  n  is  to  come  ;  (2)  that  both  were  suffering  from  the  cruelty  of  Zeus  ; 
(Ifj  that  the  wanderings  of  lo  gave  scope  for  the  wild  tales  of  far  coun- 
tries on  which  the  imagination  of  the  Athenians  fed  greedily.    But,  as 
the  Suppliants  may  serve  to  show  ,  the  story  itself  had  a  strange  fascina- 
tion for  hiiu.    In  the  birth  of  Epaphos,  and  Jo's  release  from  ner  frenzy, 
he  saw,  it  may  be,  a  reconciliation  of  what  had  seemed  hard  to  reconcile, 
*  solution  of  the  problems  of  the  world,  like  in  kind  to  that  which  wag 
•hadowed  forth  in  the  lost  Prometheus  Unbound. 

(2)  Arpos  had  been  slain  by  Hermes,  and  his  eyes  transferred  by  Han 
to  the  tail  of  the  peacock,  and  that  bird  was  thenceiorth  sacred  to  her. 

I 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


But  coming  from  beneath 

lie  hunts  mo  miserable, 
And  drives  me  famished  o'er  the  sea-beach  Rand. 

STBOPH. 
And  still  his  waxened  reed-pipe  soundeth  clear 

A  soft  and  slumberous  strain  ; 

O  heavens  !  0  ye  Gods  1  ** 

Whither  do  these  long  wanderings  lead  me  on? 
For  what  offence,  O  e=on  of  Cronos,  what, 

Hast  thou  thus  bound  mo  fast 

In  these  great  miseries  ? 

All  me  !  ah  me  ! 

And  why  with  terror  of  the  gadfly's  sting 
Dost  thou  thus  vex  me,  frenzied  in  my  soul? 
Burn  me  with  fire,  or  bury  me  in  earth, 
Or  to  wild  sea-beasts  give  me  as  a  prey  t 

Nay,  grudge  me  not,  O  King, 

An  answer  to  my  prayers  :  " 

Enough  my  many-wjindeivd  wanderings 

Have  exercised  my  -soul, 

Nor  have  I  power  to  lcjam 

How  to  avert  the  woe. 
(To  Promethnis}.      Hear'st  thou  the  voice  of  maiden 

crowned  with  horns  ? 

Prom.  Surely  I  heard  the  maid  by  gadfly  driven, 
Daughter  of  Inachos,  who  wanned  the  heart 
Of  Zeus  with  love,  and  now  through  Hera's  hate 
Is  tried,  perforce,  with  wanderings  over-long  ? 

AXTISTBOPH. 

lo.  How  is  it  that  thou  speak'st  my  father's  name  ? 

Tell  me,  the  suffering  one,  •" 

Who  art  thou,  who,  poor  wretch, 
Who  thus  so  truly  nam'st  me  miserable, 

And  tell'st  the  plague  from  Heaven, 

Which  with  its  haunting  stings 

Wears  me  to  death  ?     Ah  woe  ! 
And  I  with  famished  and  unseemly  bounds 
Rush  madly,  driven  by  Hera's  jealous  craft. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


Ah,  vrho  of  all  tliat  suffer,  bom  to  woe, 
Have  trouble  like  the  pain  that  I  endure? 
But  thou,  make  clear  to  me 
What  yet  for  ine  remains, 
What  remedy,  what  healing  for  my  pangs. 
Show  me,  if  thou  dost  know: 
Speak  out  and  toll  to  me, 
The  maid  by  wanderings  vexed. 

Prom.  I  will  say  plainly  all  thou  seek'st  to  know; 
Not  in  dark  tangled  riddles,  but  plain  speech, 
As  it  is  meet  that  friends  to  friends  should  speak ; 
Thou  see'st  Prometheus  who  gave  fire  to  men.  ** 

lo.  0  thou  to  men  as  benefactor  known. 
Why,  poor  Prometheus,  sufferest  thou  this  pain? 

Prom.  I  have  but  now  mine  own  woes  ceased  lo  wail. 

lo.  Wilt  thou  not  then  bestow  this  boon  on  me  ? 

Prom.  Say  what  thou  seflk'st,  for  I  will  tell  thee  all. 

In.  Tell  me,  who  fettered  thee  in  this  ravine  ? 

Prom.  The  counsel  was  of  Zeus,  the  hand  Hephsestos*. 

I<>.  Of  what  offence  dost  thou  the  forfeit  pay  ? 

Prom.  Thus  much  alone  am  I  content  to  tell. 

lo.  Tell  me,  at  least,  besides,  what  end  shall  come  e*° 
To  my  drear  wanderings  ;  when  the  time  shall  be. 

Prom.  Not  to  know  this  is  better  than  to  know. 

lo.  Nay,  hide  not  from  me  what  I  have  to  boar. 

Prom.  It  is  not  that  I  grudge  the  boon  to  thee. 

lo.  Why  then  delayest  thou  to  tell  the  whole  ? 

Prom.  Not  from  ill  will,  but  loth  to  vex  thy  soul. 

lo.  Nay,  care  thou  not  beyond  what  pleases  me. 

Prom.  If  thou  desire  it  I  must  speak.      Hear  then. 

Chor.  Not  yet  though  ;  grant  me  share  of  pleasure  too, 
Let  us  first  ahk  the  tale  of  her  great  woe,  **$ 

While  she  unfolds  her  life's  consuming  chances; 
Her  future  sufferings  let  her  learn  from  thee. 

Prom.  'Tis  thy  work,  To,  to  grant  these  their  wish, 
On  other  grounds  and  as  thy  father's  kin :  l 

(I)  luachos  the  father  of  lo  (identified  with  the  Arrive  river  of  the  earn* 
name)  was,  like  all  rivers,  a  so  of  Okeanos,  and  therefore  brother  to  UM 
nyn  phs  whr*  had  coine  to  see  Prometheus. 


Il6  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

For  to  bewail  and  moan  one's  evil  chance, 
Here  where  one  trusts  to  gain  a  pitying  tear 
From  those  who  hear, — this  is  not  labour  lost. 

Jo.  I  know  not  how  to  disobey  your  wish ; 
So  ye  shall  learn  the  whole  that  ye  desire 
In  speech  full  clear.     And  yet  I  blush  to  tell  ** 

The  storm  that  came  from  God,  and  brought  the  loss 
Of  maiden  face,  what  way  it  seized  on  me. 
For  nightly  vis  ons  coming  evermore 
Into  my  virgin  bower,  sought  to  woo  me 
With  glozing  words.     "  O  virgin  greatly  blest, 
Why  art  thou  sH'll  a  virgin  when  thou  might'st 
Attain  to  highest  wedlock  ?     For  with  dart 
Of  passion  for  thee  Zeus  doth  glow,  and  fain 
Would  make  thee  his.     And  thou,  O  chLd,  spurn  not 
The  bed  of  Zeus,  but  go  to  Lerna's  field,  *T* 

Where  feed  thy  father's  flocks  and  herda, 
That  so  the  eye  of  Zeus  may  find  repose 
From  this  his  craving."     With  such  visions  I 
Was  haunted  every  evening,  till  1  dared 
To  tell  my  father  all  these  drenms  of  night, 
And  he  to  Pytho  and  Dodona  sent 
Full  many  to  consult  the  Gods,  that  he 
Might  learn  what  deeds  and  words  would  please  Heaven's 

lords. 

And  they  came  bringing  speech  of  oracles 
Shot  with  dark  sayings,  dim  and  hard  to  know. 
At  last  a  clear  word  came  to  Inachos 
Charging  him  plainly,  and  commanding  him 
To  thrust  Die  from  my  country  and  my  home, 
To  stray  at  large l  to  utmost  bounds  of  earth ; 
And,  should  he  gainsay,  that  the  fiery  bolt 
Of  Zeus  should  come  and  sweep  away  his  race. 
And  he,  by  Losias'  oracles  induced, 


w*»in^ti    wiicn.-  i  IK  .v    iiiM-'i.       i  jic  inic  vi  iv,  nn  uif  t  'iiuc  utrvunru  IAJ  /^t'US  8Q 

animalised  in  form,  was  thus  shadowed  forth  in  the  very  language  of  the 


Oracle 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  117 

Thrust  me.  against  his  will,  against  mine  too, 
And  drove  me  from  my  home  ;  but  spite  of  all, 
Tho  curb  of  Zeus  constrained  him  this  to  do.  *" 

And  then  forthwith  my  face  and  mind  were  changed  ; 
And  horned,  as  ye  see  me,  stung  to  the  quick 
By  biting  gadfly,  I  with  maddened  leap 
Hushed  to  Kerchneia's  fair  and  limpid  stream, 
And  fount  of  Lerna.1     And  a  giant  herdsman, 
Argos,  full  rough  of  temper,  fo' lowed  me, 
With  many  an  eye  beholding,  on  my  track  : 
And  him  a  sudden  and  unlooked-for  doom 
Deprived  of  life.     And  I,  by  gadfly  stung, 
By  scourge  from  Heaven  am  driven  from  land  to  land.7*0 
What  has  been  done  thou  hearest.     And  if  thou 
Can'st  tell  what  yet  remains  of  woe,  declare  it; 
Nor  in  thy  pity  soothe  me  with  false  words ; 
For  hollow  words,  I  deem,  are  worst  of  ills. 
Chor.  Away,  away,  let  be  : 

Ne'er  thought  I  that  such  tales 
Would  ever,  ever  come  unto  mine  ears ; 
Nor  that  such  terrors,  woes,  and  outrages, 

Hard  to  look  on,  hard  to  bear,  7lt 

Would  chill  my  soul  with  shai'p  goad,  double-edged. 

Ah  fate!  Ah  fate  ! 
I  shudder,  seeing  lo's  fortune  strange. 

Prom.  Thou  art  too  quick  in  groaning,  full  of  fear : 
Wait  thou  a  while  until  thou  hear  the  rest. 

Chvr.  Speak  thou  and  tell.     Unto  the  sick  'tis  sweet 
Clearly  to  know  what  yet  remains  of  pain. 

Prom.  Tour  former  wish  ye  gained  full  easily. 
Your  first  desire  was  to  learn  of  her  "* 

The  tale  she  tells  of  her  own  sufferings  ; 
Now  therefore  hear'  the  woes  that  yet  remain 
For  this  poor  maid  to  bear  at  llera's  hands. 
And  thou,  O  child  of  Inachos !  take  heed 

(t)  Lerm  was  a  lake  near  the  mouth  of  the  fnachoo  close  to  the  aea. 
Kerchneia  may  perhaps  be  identified  with  the  K«u.Lrt<e,  the  havrjn  oj 
Korinth  in  later  geographies. 


Il8  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


To  these  my  words,  tbat  thou  may'st  hear  the  goal 

Of  all  thy  wanderings.     First  then,  turning  hence 

Towards  the  sunrise,  tread  the  untilled  plains, 

And  thou  shalt  reach  the  Skythian  nomads,  those1 

"Who  on  smooth-rolling  waggons  dwell  aloft 

In  wicker  house3,  with  far-darting  bows  'T* 

Duly  equipped.     Approach  thou  not  to  these, 

But  trending  round  the  coasts  on  which  the  surf 

Beats  with  loud  murmurs,2  traverse  thou  that  clime. 

On  the  left  hand  there  dwell  the  Chulybes,3 

Who  work  in  iron.     Of  these  do  thou  beware, 

For  fierce  are  they  and  most  inhospitable  ; 

And  thou  wilt  reach  the  river  fierce  and  strong, 

True  to  its  name.4    This  seek  not  thou  to  cross, 

For  it  is  hard  to  ford,  until  thou  come 

Tc  Cauca-os  itself,  of  all  high  hills 

The  highest,  where  a  river  pours  its  strength 

From  the  high  peaks  themselves.    And  thou  must  cross  7*° 

Those  summits  near  the  stars,  must  onward  go 

Towards  the  south,  where  thou  shalt  find  the  host 

Of  the  Amazons,  hating  men,  whose  home 

Shall  one  day  be  around  Thermodon's  bank, 

By  Themiskyra,6  where  the  ravenous  jaws 

Of  Salinydvssos  ope  upon  the  sea, 

Treacherous  to  sailors,  stepdame  stern  to  ships,* 

(1}  Tl-e  wicker  huts  use!  by  Skythian  or  Thrakian  nomads  (the  Cal- 
mucks  of  modern  geographers)  are  described  by  Herodotos  (iv.  46)  and 
are  still  in  use. 

(2)  Sc.,  the  N.E.  boundary  of  the  Euxine,  where  spurs  of  the  Caucasoa 
ridge  approach  the  sea. 

(3)  The  Chalybes  are  placed  by  geographers  to  the  south  of  Colchis. 
The  description  of  the  text  indicates  a  locality  farther  to  the  north. 

(4)  Probably  the  Araxes,  which  the  Greeks  would  connect  with  a  word 
conveying  the  idea  of  a  torrent  dashing  on  the  rocks.    The  description 
•eems  to  imply  a  river  flowing  into  the  Enxine  from  the  Caucasos,  and 
the  conditioa  it  fulfilled  by  the  Hypanis  or  Koulian. 

(5)  When  tbs  Amazons  appear  in  contact  with  Greek  his'ory,  they  are 
found  in  Thrace.    But  they  had  come  from  the  coast  of  Pontos,  and  ne.tr 
tli  •  mouth  of  the  Thermodon,  (The.rmek.)  The  words  of  Prometheus  point 
to  yet  earlier  migrations  from  the  East. 

(6)  Here,  as  in  Soph.  Antig.  (970)  the  name  Salmydessos  represents  the 
rockbound,.  havenless  coast  from  the  promontory  i  f  Thynias  to  the  en- 
trancf?  of  the  Bosporos,  which  had  given  to  the  Black  Sea  its  earlier  name 
of  Axenos,  the  "inhospitable." 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  119 


And  ttey  with  right  good-will  shall  be  thy  guides; 

And  thou,  hard  by  a  broad  pool's  narrow  gates, 

Wilt  pass  to  the  Kimmerian  isthmus.     Leaving 

This  boldly,  thou  must  cross  Mreotic  channel ; l  7* 

And  there  shall  be  great  fame  'mong  mortal  men 

Of  this  thy  journey,  and  the  Bosporos  3 

Shall  take  its  name  fromthee.     And  Europe's  plain 

Then  quitting,  thou  shalt  gain  the  Asian  coast. 

Doth  not  the  all-ruling  monarch  of  the  Gods 

Seein  all  ways  cruel  ?     For,  although  a  God, 

He,  seeking  to  embrace  this  mortal  maid, 

Imposed  these  wanderings  on  her.     Thou  hast  found, 

O  maiden  !  bitter  suitor  for  thy  hand ; 

For  great  as  are  the  ills  thou  now  hast  heard, 

Know  that  as  yet  not  e'en  the  prelude's  known.  ™ 

lo.  Ah  woe  !  woe  !  woe ! 

Prom.  Again  thou  groan' st  and  criest.     What  wilt  do 
When  thou  shalt  learn  the  evils  yet  to  come  ? 

Chor.  What !  are  thei  e  troubles  still  to  come  for  her  ? 

Prom.  Yea,  stormy  sea  of  woe  ?nost  lamentable. 

lo.  What  gain  is  it  to  live  ?    Why  cast  I  not 
Myself  at  once  from  this  high  precipice, 
And,  dashed  to  earth,  be  free  from  all  my  woes  ? 
Far  better  were  it  once  for  all  to  die 
Than  all  one's  days  to  suffer  pain  and  grief. 

Prom.  My  struggles  then  full  hardly  thou  would' et 

bear, 

For  whom  there  is  no  destiny  of  death  ; 
For  that  might  bring  a  respite  from  my  woes : 
But  now  there  is  no  limit  to  my  pangs 
Till  Zeus  be  hurled  out  from  his  sovereignty. 

lo.  What  !    shall  Zeus  e'er  be  hurled  from  his  high, 
state  ? 

(1)  The  track  is  here  in  some  confusion.    From  the  Amazons  south  ol 
the  Caucasos,  lo  is  to  find  her  way  to   lie  Tauric  Chersonese  (the  Crimea) 
and  the  Kimmcriiin  Bospor  s,  which  flows  into  the  Sea  of  Azov,  and  so  to 
return  to  Asia. 

(2)  Her  ,  as  i  i  a  hundred  o'  her  instances,  a  false  etymology  has  become 
the  parent  of  a  m  th.     The  name  Posporos  is  probably  Asiutie  uut  Urcek, 
ind  lias  an  entirely  dilTereiit  a.uuiiicuUou. 


I2O  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

Prom.  Thou  would'st  rejoice,  I  trow,  to  see  that  fall. 

Ic.  How  should  I  not,  when  Zeus  so  foully  wrongs  me  f 

Prom.  That  this  is  so  thou  now  may'st  hear  from  me. 

lo.  Who  then  shall  rob  him  of  his  sceptred  sway  ?       **° 

Prom.  Himself  shall  do  it  by  his  own  rash  plans. 

lo.  But  how  ?    Tell  this,  unless  it  briugeth  harm. 

Prom.  He  shall  wed  one  for  whom  one  day  he'll  grieve. 

lo.  Heaven-born  or  mortal  ?    Tell,  if  tell  thou  may'sc. 

Prom.  Why  ask'st  thou  who  ?   I  may  not  tell  thee  that. 

lo.  Shall  his  bride  hurl  him  from  his  throne  of  might  ? 

Prom.  Yea ;  she   shall  bear  child  mightier  than  hia 
sire. 

lo.  Has  he  no  way  to  turn  aside  that  doom  ? 

Prom.  No,  none  ;  unless  I  from  my  bonds  be  loosed.1 

lo.  Who    then    shall    loose  thee   'gainst  the  will  of 
Zeus  ?  '" 

Prom.  It  must  be  one  of  thy  posterity. 

lo.  What,  shall  a  child  of  mine  free  thee  from  ills  ? 

Prom.  Yea,  the  third  generation  after  ten.2 

lo.  No  more  thine  oracles  are  clear  to  me. 

*  Prom.  Nay,  seek  not  thou  thine  own  drear  fate  to 
know. 

lo.  Do  not,  a  boon  presenting,  then  withdraw  it. 

Prom.  Of  two  alternatives,  111  give  thee  choice. 

lo.  Tell  me  of  what,  then  give  me  leave  to  choose. 

Prom.  I  give  it  then.     Choose,  or  that  I  should  tell 
Thy  woes  to  come,  or  who  shall  set  mo  free. 

CVior.  Of  these  be  willing  one  request  to  grant 
To  her,  and  one  to  me  ;  nor  scorn  my  words : 
Tell  her  what  yet  of  wanderings  she  must  bear, 
And  me  who  shall  release  thee.     This  I  crave. 

Prom.  Since  ye  are  eager,  I  will  not  refuse 

(1)  The  lines  refer  to  the  story  that  Zeus  loved  Thetis  the  daughter  of 
Kerens,  i:nd  followed  her  to  Csiueasos,  but    bstained  from  marriage  with 
her  because  Prometheus  warned  him  that  the  child  bora  of  that  union 
should  overthrow  his  father.     Here  thefiture  is  used  of  what  was  still 
contingent  only.    In  the  lost  pi  <y  of  the  Trilogy  the  myth  was  possibly 
brought  to  its  conclusion  and  connected  with  the  release  ot  Prometheus. 

(2)  lleracles,  whose  geneajopy  was  traced  throuph  Alcmena,  Perseua, 
Daiiae,  Danaoa,  and  seven  ot:.er  names,  to  Epap..os  and  lo. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  121 

To  utter  fully  all  that  ye  desire. 

Thee,  lo,  first  I'll  tell  thy  wanderings  wild, 

Thou,  write  it  in  the  tablets  of  thy  mind. 

When  thou  shalt  cross  the  straits,  of  continents 

The  boundary,1  take  thou  the  onward  path 

On  to  the  fiery-hued  and  sun-tracked  East.  M* 

[And  first  of  all,  to  frozen  Northern  blasts 

Thou'lt  come,  and  there  beware  the  rushing  whirl, 

Lest  it  should  come  upon  thee  suddenly, 

And  sweep  thee  onward  with  the  cloud-rack  wild ;}  * 

Crossing  the  sea-surf  till  thou  come  at  last 

Unto  Kisthene's  Gorgoneian  plains, 

Where  dwell  the  grey-haired  virgin  Phorkides,8 

Three,  swan-shaped,  with  one  eye  between  them  all 

And  but  one  tooth  ;  whom  nor  the  sun  beholds 

With  radiant  beams,  nor  yet  the  moon  by  night: 

And  near  tnern  are  their  wingM  sisters  three, 

The  Gorgons,  serper  t-tressed,  and  hating  men, 

Whom  mortal  wight  may  not  behold  and  live.  ** 

*  Such  is  one  ill  I  bid  thee  guard  against ; 

Now  hear  another  monstrous  sight :  Beware 

The  sharp-beaked  hounds  of  Zeus  that  never  bark,* 

The  Gryphons,  and  the  one-eyed,  mounted  host 

Of  Arimaspians,  who  around  the  stream 

That  flows  o'er  gold,  the  ford  of  Pluto,  dwell : 5 

(1)  Probably  the  Kimmerian  Bosporos.    The  Tanais  or  Phasis  has, 
however,  been  conjectured. 

(2)  The  history  of  the  piissage  in  brackets  is  curious  enough  to  call  for  a 
note.    They  are  not  in  any  extant,  but  they  are  found  in  a  passage  quoted 
by  Galen  (v.  p.  454,)  as  from  the  Prometheus  Bound,  and  are  inserted  here 
by  Mr.  Paley. 

(3)  Kisthene  belongs  to  the  geography  of  legend,  lying  somewhere  on 
the  shore  of  the  great  ocean-riv«jr  in  Lybia  or  Ethiopia,  at  the  en  i  of  the 
world,  a  great  mountain  in  the  far   west,   Beyond  the  Hesperides,  the 
dwelling-place,    as   here,  of  the  Gorgons,  the    daughters    of  Phorkys. 
Those  first-named  are  the  Graiw. 

(4)  Here,  like  the  "  winged  hound"  of  v.  1043,  for  the  eagles  that  are 
the  messengers  of  Zeus. 

(5)  We  are  carried  buck  again  from  the  fabled  West  to  the  fabled  East. 
The  Arimaspians,  with  one  eye,  and  the  Grypes  or  Gryphons,  (the  griffins 
of  medinoval  her;ddry,)  quadrupeds  with  the  uings  and  beaks  of  eagles, 
were  placed  by  most  writers  (Herod,  iv.  13,  27)  in  the  north  of  Europe, 
in  or  beyond  th  •  terra  incoijnita  of  Skythia.    The  mention  of  the   "  ford  of 
Pluto  "  and  Ethiopia,  however,  may  possibly  imply  (if  we  identify  it,  aa 


I2S  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

Draw  not  thou  nigh  to  them.     But  distant  land 

Thou  shalt  approach,  the  swarthy  tribes  who  dwell 

By  the  sun's  fountain,1  ^Ethiopia's  stream  : 

By  its  banks  wend  thy  way  until  thou  come 

To  that  great  fall  where  from  the  Bybline  hilla  *" 

The  Neilos  pours  its  pure  and  holy  flood ; 

And  it  shall  guide  thee  to  Neilotic  land, 

Three-angled,  where,  O  lo,  'tis  decreed 

For  thee  and  for  thy  progeny  to  fouud 

A  far-off  colony.     And  if  of  this 

Aught  seem  to  thee  as  stammering  speech  obscure, 

Ask  yet  again  and  learn  it  thoroughly : 

Far  more  of  leisure  have  I  than  I  like. 

CJwr.  If  thou  hast  aught  to  add,  aught  left  untold 
Of  her  sore-wasting  wanderings,  speak  it  out; 
But  if  thou  hast  said  all,  then  grant  to  us 
The  boon  we  asked.     Thou  dost  not,  sure,  forget  it. 

Prom.  The  whole  course  of  her  journeying  she  hath 

heard, 

And  that  she  know  she  hath  not  heard  in  vain 
I  will  tell  out  what  troubles  she  hath  borne 
Before  she  came  here,  giving  her  sure  proof 
Of  these  my  words.     The  greater  bulk  of  things 
I  will  pass  o'er,  and  to  the  very  goal 
Of  all  thy  wanderings  go.     For  when  thou  cam'st 
To  the  Molossian  plains,  and  by  the  grove  a 
Of  lofry-ridged  Dodona,  and  the  shrine 
Oracular  of  Zeus  Thesprotian, 
And  the  strange  portent  of  the  talking  oaks, 

Mr.  Paley  does,  with  the  Tartessos  of  Spain,  or  Boetis—  Guadalquivir) 
that  .aSschylos  followed  another  leg-end  which  placed  them  iu  the  West. 
Thef  e  is  possibly  a  paroimmosia  between  Pluto,  the  God  of  Hades,  and 
Plutos,  the  ideal  God  of  riches. 

(1)  The  niiine  was  applied  by  later  writers  (Quintus  Curtius,  iv.  7,  22 ; 
Lucretius,  vi.  H48)  to  the  fountain  in  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Ammon  in  the 
great  O.".sis.  The  "  river  ^Etliiops "  may  be  purely  imaginary,  but  it 
may  also  suggest  the  possibility  of  some  vague  knowledge  of  the  Niirer. 
or  more  probably  of  the  N'ile  itself  in  the  upper  r.  jfions  of  its  course. 
The  "  Bybline  hills"  carry  the  name  Byblos,  which  we  only  reivi  of  al 
belonging  to  a  town  in  the  Delia,  to  the  Second  Cataract. 

0!)  GJiap,  Sophocles,  Tracltin,  v.  1168. 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  I2J 

By  which  full  clearly,  not  in  riddle  dark, 

Thou  wast  addressed  as  noble  spouse  of  Zeus, — 

II  aught  of  pleasure  such  things  give  to  thee,— 

Thence  strung  to  frenzy,  thou  did'st  rush  along 

The  sea-coast's  path  to  Ehea's  mighty  gulf,1 

In  backward  way  from  whence  thou  now  art  vexed, 

And  for  all  time  to  come  that  reach  of  sea, 

Know  well,  from  thee  Ionian  shall  be  called, 

To  all  men  record  of  thy  joumeyings.  *** 

These  then  are  tokens  to  thee  that  my  mind 

Sees  somewhat  more  than  that  is  maniiest. 

What  follows  (to  the  Chorus)  I  will  speak  to  you  and  her 

In  common,  on  the  track  of  former  words 

Returning  once  again.     A  city  stands, 

Cunobos,  at  its  country's  farthest  bound, 

Hard  by  the  mouth  and  silt-bank  of  the  Nile; 

There  Zeus  shall  give  thee  back  thy  mind  again,2 

With  hand  that  works  no  terror  touching  thee, — 

Touch  only — and  thou  then  shalt  bear  a  child 

Of  Zeus  begotten,  Epaphos,  "  Touch-born,"  "* 

Swarthy  of  hue,  whose  lot  shall  be  to  reap 

The  whole  plain  watered  by  the  broad-streamed  Neilos : 

And  in  the  generation  fifth  from  him 

A  household  numbering  fifty  shall  return 

Against  their  will  to  Argos,  in  their  flight 

From  wedlock  with  their  cousins.3    And  they  too, 

(Kites  but  a  little  space  behind  the  doves) 

With  eager  hopes  pursuing  marriage  rites 

Beyond  pursuit  shall  come  ;  and  God  shall  grudge 

To  give  up  their  sweet  bodies.     And  the  laud 

(1)  The  Adriatic  or  Ionian  Onlf. 

(2)  In  the  Suppliants,  Zeus  is  said  to  hare  soothed  her,  and  restored  he* 
to  her  hum;m  consciousness  by  his   "d  vine  t>i  lathings."     The  thought 
underlying  the  legend  may  be  taken  either  as  a  distortion  of  some  primi- 
tive tradition,  or  as  one  of  the  "  unconscious  prophecies  "  of  heathenism. 
The  deliverer  is  not  to  be  born  after  the  common  manner  of  men,  and  is 
to  have  a  divine  as  well  as  a  human  p-irentnge. 

(3)  Kee  the  argument  of  t.ie  S>ippli<nits,  who,  as  the  daughters  of  Danaos, 
descended  from  Kpaphos,  are  here  referred  to.     The  passage  is  noticeable 
ns  showing  that  the  theme  of  that  tragedy  waa  already  present  to  tha 
poet's  thoughts. 


124  PB.OMETHEUS    BOUND. 

Pelasgian l  shall  receive  them,  when  by  stroke 

Of  woman's  murderous  hand  these  men  shall  lie 

Smitten  to  death  by  daring  deed  of  night :  •* 

For  every  bride  shall  take  her  husband's  life, 

And  dip  in  blood  the  sharp  two-edged  sword 

(So  to  my  foes  may  Kypris  show  herself!)  * 

Yet  one  of  that  fair  band  shall  love  persuade 

Her  husband  not  to  slaughter,  and  her  will 

Shall  lose  its  edge ;  and  she  shall  make  her  choice 

Bather  as  weak  than  murderous  to  be  known. 

And  she  at  Argos  shall  a  royal  seed 

Bring  forth  (long  speech  'twould  take  to  tell  this  clear)  ** 

Famed  for  his  arrows,  who  shall  set  me  free  3 

From  these  my  woes.     Such  was  the  oracle 

Mine  ancient  mother  Themis,  Titan-born, 

Gave  to  me ;  but  the  manner  and  the  means, — 

That  needs  a  lengthy  tale  to  tell  the  whole, 

And  thou  can'st  nothing  gain  by  learning  it. 

lo.  Eleleu!  OhfcEleleu!4 
The  throbbing  pain  inflames  me,  and  the  mood 

Of  frenzy-smitten  rage ; 

The  gadfly's  pointed  sting, 

Not  forged  with  fire,  attacks, 
And  my  heart  beats  against  my  breast  with  fear.  90* 

Mine  eyes  whirl  round  and  round : 

Out  of  my  course  I'm  borne 
By  the  wild  spirit  of  fierce  agony, 

And  cannot  curb  my  lips, 
And  turbid  speech  at  random  dashes  on 
Upon  the  waves  of  dread  calamity. 


(1)  Argos.    So  in  the  Suppliants,  Pelasgos  is  the  mythical  king  of  the 
Apian  land  who  receives  them. 

(2)  Hypermnwstrn,  who    spared   Lynceus,  and  by  him  became  the 
mother  of  Abas  and  a  line  of  Argive  kings. 

'    (3)  Heracles,  who  came  to  Caucasos,  and  with  his  arrows  slew  the  eagle 
that  devoured  Prometheus. 

(4)  The  word  is  simply  an  interjection  of  pain,  but  one  so  cbaracteristio 
that  I  have  thought  it  better  to  reproduce  it  than  to  give  any  Eugli&h 
equivalent. 


FKOMETHRUS    BOUND.  I«5 

STBOPB.  L 

Chor.  Wise,  very  wise  was  he 
Who  first  in  thought  conceived  this  maxim  sage, 

And  spread  it  with  his  speech,1 — 
That  the  best  wedlcck  is  with  equals  found, 
And  that  a  craftsman,  born  to  work  with  hands, 

Should  not  desire  to  wed 

Or  with  the  soft  luxurious  heirs  of  wealth,  •• 

Or  with  the  race  that  boast  their  lineage  high. 

ANTISTBOPH.  L 

Oh  ne'er,  oh  ne'er,  dread  Fates, 
May  ye  behold  me  as  the  bride  of  Zeus, 

The  partner  of  his  couch, 
Nor  may  I  wed  with  any  heaven-born  spouse  I 
For  I  shrink  back,  beholding  lo's  lot 

Of  loveless  maidenhood, 
Consumed  and  smitten  low  exceedingly 
By  the  wild  wanderings  from  great  Hera  sent  t 

STBOPH.  n. 

To  me,  when  wedlock  is  on  equal  term*,  V0 

It  gives  no  cause  to  fear :         . 
Ne'er  may  the  love  of  any  of  the  Gods, 

The  strong  Gods,  look  on  me 

With  glance  I  cannot  'scape  I 

AXTISTBOPH.  EL 

That  fate  is  war  that  none  can  war  against, 

Source  of  resourceless  ill ; 
Nor  know  I  what  might  then  become  of  me '. 

I  see  not  how  to  'scape 

The  counsel  deep  of  Zeus. 

Prom.  Tea,  of  a  truth  shall  Zeus,  though  stiff  of  will, 
Be  brought  full  low.     Such  bed  of  wedlock  now 
Is  he  preparing,  one  to  cast  him  forth  •• 

In  darkness  from  his  sovereignty  and  throne. 
And  then  the  curse  his  father  Cronos  spake 

(1)  The  ma-rim,  "  Marry  with  a  woman  thine  equal,"  was  ascribed  to 

Pittaoos. 


126  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


Shall  have  its  dread  completion,  even  that 

He  littered  when  he  left  his  ancient  throne ; 

And  from  these  troubles  no  one  of  the  Gods 

But  me  can  clearly  show  the  way  to  'scape. 

I  know  the  time  and  manner :  therefore  now 

Let  him  sit  fearless,  in  his  peals  on  high 

Putting  his  trust,  and  shaking  in  his  hands 

His  darts  fire-breathing.     Nought  shall  they  avail 

To  hinder  him  from  falling  shamefully  **• 

A  fall  intolerable.     Such  a  combatant 

He  arms  against  himself,  a  marvel  dread, 

Who  shall  a  fire  discover  mightier  far 

Than  the  red  levin,  and  a  sound  more  dread 

Than  roaring  of  the  thunder,  and  shall  shiver 

That  plague  sea-born  that  cause  th  earth  to  quake, 

The  trident,  weapon  of  Poseidon's  strength : 

And  stumbling  on  this  evil,  he  shall  learn 

How  far  apart  a  king's  lot  from  a  slave's. 

Chor.  What  thou  dost  wish  thou  mutterest  against 
Zeus. 

Prom.  Thinga  that    shall,  be,   and  things  I  wish,   I 
speak.  ** 

Chor.  And  must  we  look  for  one  to  master  Zeus  ? 

Prom.  Yea,  troubles  harder  far  than  these  are  his. 

Chor.  Art  not  afraid  to  vent  such  words  as  these  ? 

Prom.  What  can  I  fear  whose  fate  is  not  to  die  ? 

Chor.  But  He  may  send  on  thee  worse  pain  than  this. 

Prom.  So  let  Him  do :  nought  finds  me  unprepared. 

Chor.  Wisdom  is  theirs  who  Adrasteia  worship.1 

Prom.   Worship   then,    praise    and    flatter  him    that 

rulos; 

My  care  for  Zeus  is  nought,  and  less  than  nought: 
Let  Him  act,  let  Him  rule  this  little  while, 

(I;  TLe  Euhemerism  of  later  scholiasts  derived  the  name  from  a  king 
Adrastos,  who  was  said  to  have  been  the  first  to  build  a  temple  to  Nemesis, 
and  so  the  power  thus  worshipped  was  called  after  his  name.  A  better 
etymology  leads  us  to  see  in  it  the  idea  of  the  "  inevitable  "  law  of  retri- 
butiou  working  unseen  by  men,  and  independently  even  of  the  arbitrary 
will  of  the  Gods,  acid  bringing  destruction  upon  the  proud  and  haughty. 


PROMETHEUS   BOUND.  1X7 

E'en  as  He  will ;  for  long  He  shall  not  rule 

Over  the  Gods.     But  lo  !  I  see  at  hand 

The  courier  of  the  Gods,  the  minister 

Of  our  new  sovereign.     Doubtless  he  has  come 

To  bring  me  tidings  of  some  new  device. 

Enter  HERMES. 

Herm.  Thee  do  I  speak  io, — thee,  the  teacher  wise, 
The  bitterly  o'er-bitter,  who  'gainst  Gods 
Hast  sinned  in  giving  gifts  to  short-lived  men— 
I  speak  to  thee,  the  filcher  of  bright  fire. 
The  Father  bids  thee  say  what  marriage  thou 
Dost  vaunt,  and  who  shall  hurl  Him  from  his  might ; 
And  this  too  not  in  dark  mysterious  speech, 
But  tell  each  point  out  clearly.     Give  me  not, 
Prometheus,  task  of  double  journey.     Zeus 
Thou  seest,  is  not  with  such  words  appeased. 

Prom.  Stately  of  utterance,  full  of  haughtiness 
Thy  speech,  as  fits  a  messenger  of  Gods. 
Ye  yet  are  young  in  your  new  rule,  and  think 
To  dwell  in  painless  towers.     Have  I  not 
Seen  two  great  rulers  driven  forth  from  thence  P  * 
And  now  the  third,  who  reigneth,  I  shall  see 
In  basest,  quickest  fall.     Seem  I  to  thee  9I0 

To  shrink  and  quail  before  these  new-made  Goda  P 
Far,  very  far  from  that  am  I.     But  thou, 
Track  once  again  the  path  by  which  thou  earnest ; 
Thou  shalt  learn  nought  of  what  thou  askest  me. 

Herm.  It  was  by  such  self-will  as  this  before 
That  thou  did'st  bring  these  sufferings  on  thyself. 

Prom.  I  for  my  part,  be  sure,  would  never  change 
My  evil  state  for  that  thy  bondslave's  lot. 

Herm.  To  be  the  bondslave  of  this  rock,  I  trow, 
Is  better  than  to  be  Zeus'  trusty  herald  !  "• 

Prom.  So  it  is  meet  the  insulter  to  insult. 

Herm.  Thou  waxest  proud,  'twould  seem,  of  this  thy 
doom. 

UJ  Comp.  Again.  162-6. 


138  PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 

Prom.  Wax  proud !   God  grant  that  I  may  fcee  my  foei 
Thus  waxing  proud,  and  thee  among  the  rest ! 

Uerm.  Dost  blame  me  then  for  thy  calamities  ? 

Prom.  In  one  short  sentence — all  the  Gods  I  hate, 
Who  my  good  turns  -with  evil  turns  repay. 

Herm.  Thy  words  prove  thee  with  no  slight  madness 
plagued. 

Prom.  If  to  hate  foes  be  madness,  mad  I  am. 

Herm.   Not  one    could    bear    thee    wert    thou  pros- 
perous. IOM 

Prom.  Ah  me ! 

Herm.  That  word  is  all  unknown  to  Zeus, 

Prom.  Time  waxing  old  can  many  a  lesson  teach. 

Herm.  Yet  thou  at  least  hast  not  true  wisdom  learnt.     * 

Prom.  I  had  not  else  addressed  a  slave  like  thee. 

Herm.  Thou  wilt  say  nought  the  Father  asks,  'twould 
seem. 

Prom.  Fine  debt  I  owe  him,  favour  to  repay. 

Herm.  Me  as  a  boy  thou  scornest  then,  forsooth. 

Prom.  And  art  thou  not  a  boy,  and  sillier  far, 
If  that  thou  thinkest  to  learn  aught  from  me  ? 
There  is  no  torture  nor  device  by  which  10W 

Zeus  can  impel  me  to  disclose  these  things 
Before  these  bonds  that  outrage  me  be  loosed. 
Let  then  the  blazing  levin-flash  be  hurled ; 
With   white- winged   snow-storm   and  with   earth-born 

thunders 

Let  Him  disturb  and  trouble  all  that  is  ; 
Nought  of  these  things  shall  force  me  to  declare 
Whose  hand  shall  drive  him  from  his  sovereignty. 

Herm.  See  if  thou  findest  any  help  in  this. 

Prom.  Long  since  all  this  I've  seen,  and  formed  my 
plans.  10>° 

Herm.  0  fool,  take  heart,  take  heart  at  last  in  time, 
To  form  right  thoughts  for  these  thy  present  woes. 

Prom.  Like  one  who  soothes  a  wave,  thy  speech  in  vain 
Vexes  my  soul.     But  deem  not  thou  that  I, 
Fearing  the  will  of  Zeus,  shall  e'er  bocome 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  129 

As  womanised  in  mind,  or  shall  entreat 
Him  whom  I  greatly  loathe,  with  upturned  hand, 
In  woman's  fashion,  from  these  bonds  of  mine 
To  set  me  free.     Far,  far  am  I  from  that. 

Ilerm.  It  seems  that  I,  saying  much,  shall  speak  in 

vain; 

For  thou  in  nought  by  prayers  art  pacified, 
Or  softened  in  thy  heart,  but  like  a  colt 
Fresh  harnessed,  thou  dost  champ  thy  bit,  and  strive, 
And  fight  against  the  reins.     Yet  thou  art  stilf 
In  weak  device ;  for  self-will,  by  itself, 
In  one  who  is  not  wise,  is  less  than  nought. 
Look  to  it,  if  thou  disobey  my  words, 
How  great  a  storm  and  triple  wave  of  ills,1 
Not  to  be  'scaped,  shall  come  on  thee  ;  for  first, 
With  thunder  and  the  levin's  blazing  flash 
The  Father  this  ravine  of  rock  shall  crush, 
And  shall  thy  carcase  hide,  and  stern  embrace 
Of  stony  arms  shall  keep  thee  in  thy  place.  1**1 

And  having  traversed  space  of  time  full  long, 
Thou  shalt  come  back  to  light,  and  then  his  hound, 
The  winged  hound  of  Zeus,  the  ravening  eagle, 
Shall  greedily  make  banquet  of  thy  flesh, 
Coming  all  day  an  uninvited  guest, 
And  glut  himself  upon  thy  liver  dark. 
And  of  that  anguish  look  not  for  the  end, 
Before  some  God  shall  come  to  bear  thy  woes, 
And  will  to  pass  to  Hades'  sunless  realm, 
And  the  dark  cloudy  depths  of  Tartaros.*  105° 

Wherefore  take  heed.     No  feigned  boast  is  thi«, 


(1)  Either   a  mere  epithet  of  intensity,  as  in  onr  "thrice  blest,"  or 
rising  from  the  supposed  fcict  that  every  third  wave  was  larg-er  and  more 
impetuous  than  the  others,  like  the  Jtuctm  decutnama  of  the  Latins,  or 
from  the  sequence  of  three  great  waves  which  some  have  noted  as  a  com- 
mon ph<  notm-non  in  storms. 

(2)  Here  apun  we  have  a  strange  shadowing  forth  of  the  mystery  of 
Atonement,  and  what  we  have  learnt  to  cull      vicarious  "  satisfaction. 
)n  the  later  leg-end,  Cheiron,  suffering  from  the  agony  of  his  wounds,  re- 
•ig-ns  his  immortality.  >tnrl  submits  to  dieiu  place  of  the  ever-living  dieatl1 
to  which  I'romethua  was  doomed. 

X 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND. 


But  spoken  all  too  truly  ;  for  the  lipa 

Of  Zeus  know  not  to  speak  a  lying  speech, 

But  will  perform  each  single  "word.     And  thou, 

Search  well,  be  wise,  nor  think  that  self-willed  pride 

Shall  ever  better  prove  than  counsel  good. 

Chor.  To  us  doth  Hermes  seem  to  utter  words 
Not  out  of  season  ;  for  he  bids  thee  quit 
Thy  self-willed  pride  and  seek  for  counsel  good. 
Hearken  thou  to  him.     To  the  wise  of  soul 
It  is  foul  shame  to  sin  persistently. 

Prom.  To  me  who  knew  it  all 

He  hath  this  message  borne  ; 

And  that  a  foe  from  foes 

Should  suffer  is  not  strange. 

Therefore  on  me  be  hurled 

The  sharp-edged  wreath  of  fire  ; 

And  let  heaven's  vault  be  stirred 

With  thunder  and  the  blasts 

Of  fiercest  winds  ;  and  Earth 

From  its  foundations  strong, 

E'en  to  its  deepest  roots, 

Let  storm-wind  make  to  rock  ; 

And  let  the  Ocean  wave, 

With  wild  and  foaming  surge, 

Be  heaped  up  to  the  paths 

Where  move  the  stars  of  heaven.  ; 

And  to  dark  Tartaros 

Let  Him  my  carcase  hurl, 

With  mighty  blasts  of  force  : 

Yet  me  He  shall  not  slay. 
Herm.  Such  words  and  thoughts  from  one 

Brain-stricken  one  may  hear. 

What  space  divides  his  state 

From  frenzy  ?    What  repose 

Hath  he  from  maddened  rage  ? 

But  ye  who  pitying  stand 

And  share  his  bitter  griefs, 

Quickly  from  hence  depart, 


PROMETHEUS    BOUND.  I|J 

Lest  the  relentless  roar 
Of  thunder  stun  your  souL 

Chor,  With  other  words  attempt 
To  counsel  and  persuade, 
And  I  will  hear :  for  now 
Thou  hast  this  word  thrust  in 
•         That  we  may  never  bear. 

How  dost  thou  bid  me  train 

My  soul  to  baseness  vile  P 

With  him  I  will  endure 

Whatever  is  decreed. 

Traitors  I've  learnt  to  hate, 

Nor  Is  there  any  plague  *• 

That  more  than  this  I  loathe 

Herm.  Nay  then,  remember  y* 
What  now  I  say,  nor  blame 
Your  fortune  :  never  say 
That  Zeus  hath  cast  you  down 
To  evil  not  foreseen. 
Not  so ;  ye  cast  yourselves : 
For  now  with  open  eyes, 
Not  taken  unawares, 
In  Ate's  endless  net 
Ye  shall  entangled  be 
By  folly  of  your  own.  Bli 

[A  pause,  and  then  flashes  of  lightning  and 
peals  of  thunder.1 

Prom.  Yea,  now  in  very  deed, 
No  more  in  word  alone, 
The  earth  shakes  to  and  fro, 
And  the  loud  thunder's  voice 
Bellows  hard  by,  and  blaze 

(1)  It  is  noticeable  that  both  .SIschylos  and  Sophocles  havs  left  ru  tra- 
gedies which  end  in  a  thunderstorm  as  an  element  of  effect.  But  the 
contrast  between  the  Prometheus  and  the  (Edipus  at  Oolonos  as  to  the  im- 
pression left  in  the  one  case  of  serene  reconciliation,  and  in  the  other  of 
Violent  antagonism,  is  hardly  less  striking  th.m  the  resemblance  in  th« 
outward  phenomena,  which  are  common  to  the  two. 


FKOMKTHEUS    BOUND. 


The  flashing  levin-fires  ; 
And  tempests  whirl  the  dust, 
And  gusts  of  all  wild  winds 
On  one  another  leap, 
In  wild  conflicting  blasts, 
And  sky  with  sea  is  blent  r 
Such  is  the  storm  from  Zeus 
That  comes  as  working  fear, 
In  terrors  manifest. 
O  Mother  venerable  I 
O  JEther  1  rolling  round 
The  common  light  of  all, 
See'st  thou  what  wrongs  I  bear? 


THE   SUPPLIANTS. 


ARGUMENT. 

,  after  many  wanderings,  had  found  refuge  in  j^gypt,  ant, 
having  been  touched  by  Zeus,  had  given  birth  to  Epaphos,  it 
came  to  past  that  he  and  his  descendants  ruled  over  the  region 
of  Canopos,  near  one  of  tJie  seven  mouths  of  Neilos.  And  in 
the  Jifth  generation  there  were  two  brothers,  Danaos  and 
JEyyptos,  the  sons  of  Belos,  and  the  former  had  fifty  daughters 
and  the  latter  fifty  sons,  and  JSgyptos  sought  the  daughters  of 
Danaos  in  marriage  for  his  sons.  And  they,  looking  on  the 
r.wi'iage  as  unholy,  and  hating  those  who  wooed  them,  took 
fii-jhi  and  came  to  Argot,  where  Pelasgos  then  ruled  as  king, 
*?  to  the  land  whence  lo,  from  whom,  they  sprang,  had  come. 
And  thither  the  sont  of  AZgyptot  followed  them  in  hot  pursuit. 


Jlramalia  Jltrscm*. 


PELASGOS,  foV20  of  Argon, 

Herald. 

Choru$  of  the  daughters  of  LIANAOS. 


THE  SUPPLIANTS. 


SCENE. — Argos,  the  entrance  of  the  gates.  Statues  oj 
Zzus,  ARTEMIS,  and  other  Gods,  placed  against  the 
watts. 

[Enter  Chorus  of  the  Daughters  of  DANAOS,1  in  the  dress 
of  Egyptian  women,  with  the  houghs  of  suppliants 
in  their  hands,  and  fillets  of  white  wool  twisted 
round  them,  chanting  as  they  move  in  processicn  to 
take  up  their  position  round  the  thymek. 

Zeus,  the  God  of  Suppliants,  kindly 

Look  on  this  our  band  of  wanderers, 

That  from  banks  at  mouths  of  Neilos, 

Banks  of  finest  sand,  departed  1  * 

Yea,  we  left  the  region  sacred, 

Grassy  plain  on  Syria's  borders,8 

Not  for  guilt  of  blood  to  exile 

By  our  country's  edict  sentenced, 

But  with  free  choice,  loathing  wedlock, 

Fleeing  marriage-rites  unholy 

"With  the  children  of  2Egyptos. 

And  our  father  Danaos,  ruler, 

Chief  of  council,  chief  of  squadrons, 

Playing  moves  on  fortune's  draught-board,* 

(1)  The  daughters  of  Danaos  arc  always  represented  as  fifty  in  number. 
It  seems  probable,  however,  that  the  vocal  chorus  was  limited  to  twelve, 
the  others  appearing  as  mutes. 

(2)  The  alluvial  deposit  of  the  Delta. 

<8)  Syria  is  used  obviously  with  a  certain  geographical  vagueness,  as 
including  all  that  we  know  as  Palestine,  and  the  wilderness  to  the  south 
of  it,  and  so  as  conterminous  with  Egypt. 

(4)  Elsewhere  in  2Eschylos  (Agam.  33,  Fr.  132)  we  trace  allusion  to  gamea 
played  with  dice.  Here  we  have  a  reference  to  one,  the  details  of  which 


138  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 

Choso  what  seemed  the  best  of  evils, 

Through  the  salt  ^ea-waves  to  hasten, 

Steering  to  the  land  of  Argos, 

Whence  our  race  has  risen  to  greatness ; 

Sprung,  so  honsts  it,  from  the  heifer 

Whom  the  stinging  gadfly  harassed, 

By  the  touch  of  Zeus  love-breathing:  * 

And  to  what  land  more  propitious 

Could  we  come  than  this  before  us,  * 

Holding  in  our  hand  the  branches 

Suppliant,  wreathed  with  white  wool  fillets  P 

O  State !  O  land  !  O  water  gleaming  1 

Ye  the  high  Gods,  ye  the  awful, 

In  the  dark  the  graves  still  guarding ; 

Thou  too  with  them,  Zeus  Preserver,* 

Guardian  of  the  just  man's  dwelling, 

Welcome  with  the  breath  of  pity, 

Pity  as  from  these  shores  wafted, 

TJs  poor  women  who  are  suppliants. 

And  that  swarm  of  men  that  follow, 

Haughty  offspring  of  .2Egyptos,  * 

Ere  they  set  their  foot  among  you 

On  this  silt-strown  shore,3 — oh,  send  them 

Seaward  in  their  ship  swift-rowing ; 

There,  with  whirlwind  tempest-driven, 

There,  with  lightning  and  with  thunder, 

There,  with  blasts  that  bring  the  storm-rain, 

May  they  in  the  fierce  sea  perish, 

Ere  they,  cousin-brides  possessing, 

Eest  on  marriage-beds  reluctant, 

Which  the  voice  of  right  denies  them  I 

•n  not  accurately  known  to  us,  but  which  seems  to  hare  been  analogous 
to  draughts  or  chess. 

(1)  See  the  whole  story,  given  as  in  prophecy,  in  the  Prometheus,  v.  865-880. 

(2)  The  invocation  is  addressed — (I)  to  the  Olympian  Gods  in  the 
brightness  of  heaven ;  (2)  to  the  Chthonian  deities  in  the  darkness  belo\r 
the  earth  ;  (3)  to  Zeus  the  1-reserver,  as  the  supreme  Lord  of  both. 

(3)  An  Athenian  nudience  would  probably  recognise  in  this  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  swampy  maidows  near  the  coast  of  Lerna.     The  descendant* 
of  To  had  como  to  the  very  spot  where  the  tragic  history  of  their  ancestor* 
bed  had  its  onyiii. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


STKOPH.  L 

And  now  I  call  on  him,  the  Zeus-sprung  steer,1  * 

Our  true  protector,  far  beyond  the  sea, 
Child  of  the  heifer-foundress  of  our  line, 

Who  cropped  the  flowery  mead, 
Born  of  the  breath,  and  named  from  touch  of  Zeus. 

*And  lo  !  the  destined  time 

*Wrought  fully  with  the  name, 
And  she  brought  forth  the  "  Touch-born,"  Epaphoa. 

AJJTISTBOPH.  I. 

And  now  invoking  him  in  grassy  fields,  * 

Where  erst  his  mother  strayed,  to  dwellers  hero 
Telling  the  tale  of  all  her  woes  of  old, 

I  surest  pledge  shall  give  ; 
And  others,  strange  beyond  all  fancy's  dream, 

Shall  yet  perchance  be  found; 

And  in  due  course  of  time 
Shall  men  know  clearly  all  our  history, 

STBOPH.  II. 

And  if  some  augur  of  the  land  be  near, 

Hearing  our  piteous  cry, 

Sure  he  will  deem  he  hears 

The  voice  of  Tereus'  bride,* 

Piteous  and  sad  of  soul, 
The  nightingale  sore  harassed  by  the  kite.  * 

Asnsr&ofB.  TL, 
*For  she,  driven  back  from  wonted  haunts  and  streams,* 

Mourns  with  a  strange  new  plaint 

The  home  that  she  has  lost, 

And  wails  her  son's  sad  doom, 

How  he  at  her  hand  died, 
Meeting  with  evil  wrath  unmotherly ; 

(1)  The  invocation  passes  on  to  Epaphos,  as  a  guardian  deity,  able  and 
willing  to  succour  his  afflicted  children. 

(2)  Philomela.    See  the  tale  as  given  in  the  notes  to  Agam.  1113. 

(8)  "  Streams,"   aa  flowing  through  the  shady  solitude  of  the  grovel 
Vfaich  the  nightingale  frequented. 


I4O  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 

BTEOPH.  HL 

E'en  so  do  I,  to  wailing  all  o'er-given, 
In  plaintive  music  of  Ionian  mood,1 
*Vex  the  soft  cheek  on  Neilos'  banks  that  bloomed, 

And  heart  that  bursts  in  tears, 
And  pluck  the  flowers  of  lamentations  loud, 

Not  without  fear  of  friends,  * 

*Lest  none  should  care  to  help 
This  flight  of  mine  from  that  mist-shrouded  snore. 

ANTISTBOPH.  HI. 

But,  O  ye  Gods  ancestral !  hear  my  prayer, 
Look  well  upon  the  justice  of  our  cause, 
Nor  grant  to  youth  to  gain  its  full  desire 

Against  the  laws  of  right, 
But  with  prompt  hate  of  lust,  our  marriage  bless. 

*Even  for  those  who  come 

As  fugitives  in  war 
The  altar  serves  as  shield  that  Gods  regard. 

STBOPH.  IV. 

May  God  good  issue  give  I  *  • 

And  yet  the  will  of  Zeus  is  hard  to  scan  : 

Through  all  it  brightly  gleams, 
E'en  though  in  darkness  and  the  gloom  of  chanoo 
For  us  poor  mortals  wrapt. 

ASTISTBOPH.  IV. 

Safe,  by  no  foil  tripped  up, 
The  full- wrought  deed  decread  by  brow  of  Zeus  ; 

For  dark  with  shadows  stretch 
The  pathways  of  the  counsels  of  hia  heart, 

And  difficult  to  see. 

STBOPH.  V. 

And  from  high-towering  hopes  He  hurieth  down  * 

To  utter  doom  the  heir  of  mortal  birth ; 

(1)  "Ionian,"  as  soft  and  elegiac,  in  contrast  with  the  more  military 
character  of  Dorian  music. 

(2)  In  the  Greek  the  paronomasia  turns  npon  the  supposed  etymological 
connexion  between  #£6eandri0///u.  I  have  here,  as  elsewhere,  attempted 
an  analogous  rather  than  identical  jeu  de  toot. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


Yet  sets  He  in  array 
No  forces  violent  ; 

Ail  that  Gods  work  is  effortless  and  calm: 
Seated  on  holiest  throne, 
Thence,  though  we  know  not  how, 
He  works  His  perfect  will. 

ANTISTBOPH.  V. 

Ah,  let  him  look  on  frail  man's  wanton  pride, 
With  which  the  old  stock  burgeons  out  anew, 

By  love  for  me  constrained, 

In  counsels  ill  and  rash,  •* 

And  in  its  frenzied,  passionate  resolve 

Finds  goad  it  cannot  shun  ; 

But  in  deceived  hopes, 

Shall  know,  too  late,  its  woe. 

STBOPB.  VI. 
Such  bitter  griefs,  lamenting,  I  recount, 

With  cries  shrill,  tearful,  deep, 

(Ah  woe  !  ah  woe  !) 

That  strike  the  ear  with  mourner's  woe-fraught  cry, 
Though  yet  alive,  I  wail  mine  obsequies  ; 

Thee,  Apian  sea-girt  bluff,1 

I  greet  (our  alien  speech 

Thou  knowest  well,  O  land,)  •• 

And  ofttimes  fall,  with  rendings  passionate, 
On  robe  of  linen  and  Sidonian  veiL 

AJITMTROPH.  VL 

But  to  the  Gods,  for  all  things  prospering  well, 

When  death  is  kept  aloof, 

Gifts  votive  come  of  right. 

Ah  woe  !    Ah  woe  ! 
Oh,  troubles  dark,  and  hard  to  understand  I 

(1)  The  Greek  word  which  I  have  translated  •'  bluff"  was  one  not 
familiar  to  Attic  ears,  and  was  believed  to  be  of  Kyrenean  origin. 
^schrlos  accordingly  puts  it  into  the  lips  of  the  daughters  of  Danaos,  am 
characteristic  more  or  less  of  the  "  alien  speech  "  of  the  land  from  which 
they  came. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


Ah,  thither  will  these  waters  carry  me  P 

Thee,  Apian  sea-girt  bluff,  M> 

I  greet  (our  alien  speech 

Thou  knowest  well,  O  land,) 
And  ofttimes  fall,  with  rendings  passionate, 
On  robe  of  linen  and  Sidonian  veil. 

STBOPH.  VII. 

The  oar  indeed  and  dwelling,  timber-wrought, 
With  sails  of  canvas,  'gainst  the  salt  sea  proof 

Brought  me  with  favouring  gales, 

By  stormy  wind  unvexed  ; 
Nor  have  I  cause  for  murmur.     Issues  good 
May  He,  the  all-seeing  Father,  grant,  that,  I,  **• 

Great  seed  of  Mother  dread, 
In  time  may  'scape,  still  maiden  undefiled, 

My  suitor's  marriage-bed. 

ANTISTBOPH.  VTI. 

And  with  a  will  that  meets  my  will  may  She, 
The  unstained  child  of  Zeus,  on  me  look  down, 

*Our  Artemis,  who  guards 

The  consecrated  walls  ; 

And  with  all  strength,  though  hunted  down,  uncaught, 
May  She,  the  Virgin,  me  a  virgin  free,  ^ 

Great  seed  of  Mother  dread, 
That  I  may  'scape,  still  maiden  undefiled, 

My  suitor's  marriage-bed. 

STKOPH.  VTH. 

But  if  this  may  not  be, 

We,  of  swarth  sun-burnt  race, 
Will  with  our  suppliant  branches  go  to  him, 

Zeus,  sovereign  of  the  dead,1 
The  Lord  that  welcomes  all  that  come  to  him, 

Dying  by  twisted  noose  ** 

(11  So  in  T.  235  Danaos  speaks  of  the  "  second  Zeus"  who  sit  as  Judge 
in  Hades.    The  feeling  to  which  the  Chorus  gives  utterance  is  that  of— 
"Flectere  si  nequeo  superos,  Acheron  ta  movebo." 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  143 

If  -wo  the  grace  of  Gods  Olympian  miss. 
By  thine  ire,  Zeus,  'gainst  lo  virulent, 

The  Gods'  wrath  seeks  us  out, 

And  I  know  well  the  woe 
Comes  from  thy  queen  who  reigns  in  heaven  victorious ; 

For  after  stormy  wind 

The  tempest  needs  must  rage. 

ANTISTBOPH.  VIII. 

And  then  shall  Zeus  to  words 

Unseemly  be  exposed, 
Having  the  heifer's  offspring  put  to  shame,  ** 

Whom  He  himself  begat, 
And  now  his  face  averting  from  our  prayers: 

Ah,  may  he  hear  on  high, 
Tea,  pitying  look  and  hear  propitiously  I 
By  thine  ire,  Zeus,  'gainst  lo  virulent, 

The  Gods'  wrath  seeks  us  out, 

And  I  know  well  the  woe 
Comes  from  thy  queen,  who  reigns  in  heaven  victorious ; 

For  after  stormy  wind  17° 

The  tempest  needs  must  rage, 

Danaos.  My  children,  we  need  wisdom  ;  lo !  ye  came 
With  me,  your  father  wise  and  old  and  true, 
As  guardian  of  your  voyage.     Now  ashore, 
With  forethought  true  I  bid  you  keep  my  words, 
As  in  a  tablet-book  recording  them  : 
I  see  a  dust,  an  army's  voiceless  herald, 
Nor  are  the  axles  silent  as  they  turn  ; 
And  I  descry  a  host  that  bear  the  shield, 
And  those  that  hurl  the  javelin,  marching  on 
With  horses  and  with  curved  battle-cars. 
Perchance  they  are  the  princes  of  this  land,  ** 

Come  on  the  watch,  as  having  news  of  us ; 
But  whether  one  in  kindly  mood,  or  hot 
With  anger  fierce,  leads  on  this  great  array, 
It  is,  my  children,  best  on  all  accounts 
To  take  your  stand  hard  by  this  hill  of  Gods 


144  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 

Who  rulo  o'er  conflicts.1     Better  far  than  towers 

Are  altars  yea,  a  shield  impenetrable. 

But  with  all  speed  approach  the  shrine  of  Zeus, 

The  God  of  mercy,  in  your  left  hand  holding 

The  suppliants'  boughs  wool-wreathed,  in  solemn  guise,* 

And  greet  our  hosts  as  it  is  meet  for  us,  *** 

Coming  as  strangers,  with  all  duteous  words 

Kindly  and  holy,  telling  them  your  tale 

Of  this  your  flight,  unstained  by  guilt  of  blood ; 

And  with  your  speech,  let  mood  not  over-bold, 

Nor  vain  nor  wanton,  shine  from  modest  brow 

And  calm,  clear  eye.     And  be  not  prompt  to  speak, 

Nor  full  of  words ;  the  race  that  dwelleth  here 

Of  this  is  very  jealous : ?  and  be  mindful 

Much  to  concede  ;  a  fugitive  thou  art, 

A  stranger  and  in  want,  and  'tis  not  meet 

That  those  in  low  estate  high  words  should  speak. 

Chor.  My  father,  to  the  prudent  prudently  ** 

Thou  speakest,  and  my  task  shall  be  to  keep 
Thy  goodly  precepts.     Zeus,  our  sire,  look  on  us ! 

Dan.  Yea,  may  He  look  with  favourable  eye ! 

Cher.  I  fain  would  take  my  seat  not  far  from  thee. 

[Chorus  moves  to  the  altar  not  far  from 
DANAOS. 

Dan.  Delay  not  then  ;  success  go  with  your  plan. 

Chor.  Zeus,  pity  us  with  sorrow  all  but  crushed ! 

Dan.  If  He  be  willing,  all  shall  turn  out  well. 

Chor.  ..... 

Dan.  Invoke  ye  now  the  mighty  bird  of  Zeus.4 

(1)  Some  mound  dedicated  to  the  Gods,  with  one  or  more  altars  and  sta- 
tues of  the  Gods  on  it,  is  on  the  stage,  and  the  suppliants  are  told  to  take 
up  their  places  there.    The  Gods  of  conflict  who  are  named  below,  Zeus, 
Apollo,  Poseidon,  presided  generally  over    the  three  great  games   of 
Greece.    Hermes  is  added  to  the  list. 

(2)  Comp.  Libation-Pourers,  1024,  Etimen.  44. 

(3)  The  Argives  are  supposed  to  share  the  love  of  brevity  which  w* 
commonly  connect  with  their  neighbours  the  Laconians. 

(4)  The  "mighty  bird  of  Zeus"  seems  here,  from  the  answer  of  tho 
Chorus,  to  mean  not  the  "eagle"  but  the  "sun,"  which  roused  men 
from  their  sleep  as  the  cock  did,  so  that  "cock-crow"  and  "sunrise" 
were  synonymous.    It  is,  in  any  case,  striking  that  Zeus,  rather  than 
Apollo,  appears  as  the  Sun-God. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  145 


Chor.  We  call  the  sun's  bright  rays  to  succour  us. 
Dun.  Apollo  too,  the  holy,  in  that  Ilo,  *** 

A  God,  has  tasted  exile  from  high  heaven.1 

Chor.  Knowing  that  fate,  He  well  may  feel  for  men. 
Dan.  So  may  He  feel,  and  look  on  us  benignly  I 
Chor.  Whom  of  the  Gods  shall  I  besides  invoke  I* 
Dan.  I  >ee  this  trident  here,  a  God's  great  symbol.1 
Chor.  Well  hath  He  brought  us,  well  may  He  receive  I 
Dan.  Here  too  is  Hermes/  as  the  Hellenes  know  him. 
Chor.  To  us,  as  free,  let  Him  good  herald  prove. 
Dun.  Yea,  and  the  common  shrine  of  all  these  Goda 

Adore  ye,  and  in  holy  precincts  sit, 

Like  swarms  of  doves  in  fear  of  kites  your  kinsmen,      M 

Foes  of  our  blood,  polluters  of  our  race. 

How  can  bird  prey  on  bird  and  yet  be  pure  ? 

And  how  can  he  be  pure  who  seeks  in  marriage 

Unwilling  bride  from  father  too  unwilling? 

Nay,  not  in  Hades'  self,  shall  he,  vain  fool, 

Though  dead,  "scape  sentence,  doing  deeds  like  this  j 

For  there,  as  men  relate,  a  second  Zeus 4 

Judges  men's  evil  deeds,  and  to  the  dead 

Assigns  their  last  great  penalties.     Look  up, 

And  take  your  station  here,  that  this  your  cause 

May  win  its  way  to  a  victorious  end. 

•    Enter  the  K±NQ  on  his  chariot,  followed  ly  Attendants. 

King.  Whence  comes  this  crowd,  this  non-  Hellenic 
band,  » 

In  robes  and  raiment  of  barbaric  fashion 
So  gorgeously  attired,  whom  now  we  speak  to  P 

(1)  The  words  refer  to  the  myth  of  Apollo's  banishment  from  heaven 
and  servitude  under  Admetos. 

(2)  In  the  Acropolis  at  Athens  the  impress  of  a  trident  was  seen  on  the 
rock,  and  was  believed  to  commemorate  the  time  whim  Poseidon  h.ui 
claimed  it  as  his  own  by  setting  vp  his  weapon  there.     Something  o;  tne 
same  kind  seems  here  to  be  supposed  to  exist  at  Argos,  where  a  like 
legend  prevailed. 

(3)  The  Hellenic  Hermes  is  distinguished  from  his  Egyptian  counter- 
part, Thoth,  as  being  different  in  form  and  accessories. 

(4)  A  possible  reference  to  the  Egyptian  Osiris,  M  lord  or  judffe  of 
Hadea.    Cornp.  v.  146. 

It 


146  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


This  woman's  dress  is  not  of  Argive  mode, 

Nor  from  the  climes  of  Hellas.     How  ye  darod, 

Without  a  herald  even  or  protector, 

Yea,  and  devoid  of  guides  too,  to  come  hither 

Thus  boldly,  is  to  me  most  wonderful. 

And  yet  1heso  boughs,  as  is  the  suppliant's  wont, 

Are  set  by  you  before  the  Gods  of  conflicts : 

By  this  alone  will  Hellas  guess  arigh.t. 

Much  more  indeed  we  might  have  else  conjectured,        "° 

"Were  there  no  voice  to  tell  me  on  the  spot. 

CJior.  Not  false  this  speech  of  thine  about  our  garb ; 
But  shall  I  greet  thee  as  a  citizen, 
Or  bearing  Hermes'  rod,  or  city  ruling  P1 

King.  Nay,  for  that  matter,  answer  thou  and  speak 
Without  alarm.     Paleechthon's  son  am  I, 
Earth-born,  the  king  of  this  Pulasgic  land ; 
And  named  from  me,  their  king,2  as  well  might  be, 
The  race  Pulasgic  reaps  our  country's  fruits ; 
*And  all  the  land  through  which  the  Stryinon  pours     ** 
Its  pure,  clear  waters  to  the  West  I  rule ; 
And  as  the  limits  of  my  realm  I  mark 
The  laud  of  the  Perrhaobi,  and  the  climes 
Near  the  Paeouians,  on  the  farther  side 
Of  Pindos,  and  the  Dodonsean  heights ; 8 
And  the  sea's  waters  form  its  bounds.     O'er  all 
Within  these  coasts  I  govern ;  and  this  plain, 
The  Apian  land,  itself  has  gained  its  name 
Long  since  from  one  who  as  a  healer  lived ;  * 
For  Apis,  coming  from  Naupactian  land 

(1)  "  Shall  I,"  the  Chorus  asks,  "speak  to  you  aa  a  private  citizen,  or 
M  a  herald,  or  as  a  king  ? " 

(2)  It  would  appear  from  this  that  the  king  himself  bore  the  name 
Pelasgos.    In  some  versions  of  the  story  he  is  so  designated. 

(3).  The  lines  contain  a  tradition  of  the  wide  extent  of  the  old  Pelasgic 
rule,  including1  Thessalia,  or  the  Pelasgic  Argos,  between  the  mouths  of 
Peneus  and  Pindos,  Perrhsebia,  Dodona,  and  finally  the  Apian  land  or 
Peloponnesos. 

(4)  The  true  meaning  of  the  word-  "  Apian,"  as  applied  to  the  Pelo- 
ponnesos, seems  to  have  been  "distant."  Here  the  myth  is  followed 
Which  represented  it  as  connected  with  Apis  the  son  of  Telchin,  (son  ol 
Apollo,  in  the  sense  of  being'  a  physician-prophet,)  who  had  freed  th« 
land  from  monsters. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  I4J 


That  lies  beyond  th«  straits,  Apollo's  son, 

Prophet  and  healer,  frees  this  land  of  ours  ** 

From  man-destroying  monsters,  which  the  soil, 

Polluted  with  the  guilt  of  blood  of  old, 

By  anger  of  the  Gods,  brought  forth, — fierce  plagues, 

The  dragon-brood's  dread,  unblest  company ; 

And  Apis,  having  for  this  Argive  land 

Duly  wrought  out  his  saving  surgery, 

Gained  his  reward,  remembered  in  our  prayers ; 

And  thou,  this  witness  having'at  my  hands, 

May'st  tell  thy  race  at  once,  and  further  speak  ; 

Yet  lengthened  speech  our  city  loveth  not. 

Chor.  Full  short  and  clear  our  tale.    We  boast  that  we 
Are  Argives  in  descent,  the  children  true 
Of  the  fair,  fruitful  heifer.     And  all  this 
"Will  I  by  what  I  speak  show  firm  and  true. 

King.  Nay,  strangers,  what  ye  tell  is  past  belief 
For  mo  to  hear,  that  ye  from  Axgos  spring ; 
For  ye  to  Libyan  women  are  most  like,1 
And  nowise  to  our  native  maidens  here. 
Such  race  might  Neilos  breed,  and  Kyprian  mould, 
Like  yours,  is  stamped  by  skilled  artificers 
On  women's  features ;  and  I  hear  that  those 
Of  India  travel  upon  camels  borne,  "*' 

Swift  as  the  horse,  yet  trained  as  sumpter-mules, 
E'en  those  who  as  the  2Ethiops'  neighbours  dwell. 
And  hud  ye  borne  the  bow,  I  should  have  guessed, 
Undoubtiug,  ye  were  of  th'  Amazon's  tribe, 
Man-hating,  flesh-devouring.     Taught  by  you, 
I  might  the  better  know  how  this  can  be, 
That  your  descent  and  birth  from  Argoa  come. 

Chor.  They  tell  of  one  who  bore  the  temple-keys 
Of  Hera,  lo,  in  this  Argive  land. 

King.  So  was't  indeed,  and  wide  the  fame  prevails : 
And  was  it  said  that  Zeus  a  mortal  loved  ?  ** 

(1)  The  description  would  seem  to  indicate — (1)  that  the  daughter  of 
T)anaos  appeared  on  the  stage  as  of  swarthy  complexion ;  and  (2)  that 
Indians.  /Ethiopians,  Kyprians,  and  Amazons,  were  all  thought  of  as  in 
this  respect  alike. 


148  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


Chor.  And  that  embrace  was  not  from  Hera  hid. 
King.  What  end  had  then  these  strifes  of  sovereign  Ones  P 
Chor.  The  Argive  goddess  made  the  maid  a  heifer. 
King.  Did  Zeus  that  fair-horned  heifer  still  approach  P 
Chor.  So  say  they,  fashioned  like  a  wooing  steer. 
King.  How  acted  then  the  mighty  spouse  of  Zeus  P 
Chor.  She  o'er  the  heifer  set  a  guard  all-soeing. 
King.  What    herdsman    strange,   all- seeing,   speak'st 

thouof? 
Chor.  Argos,    the    earth -horn,    him    whom  Hermes 


King.  What  else  then  wrought  she  on  the  ill-starred 
heifer  P 

Chor.  She  sent  a  stinging  gadfly  to  torment  her. 

[Those  who  near  Neilos  dwell  an  wstros  call  it.} 

King.  Did  she  then  drive  her  from  her  country  far  P 

Chor.  All  that  thou  say'st  agrees  well  with  our  tale. 

King.  And  did  she  to  Canobos  go,  and  Memphis  ? 

Chor.  Zeus  with  his  touch,  an  offspring  then  begets. 

King.  What  Zeus  -  born   calf    that    heiler  claims  as 
mother  ? 

CJior.  *He  from  that  touch  which  freed  named  Epa- 
phos. S1° 

King,   [What  offspring  then  did  Epaphos  beget  ?~\  l 

Chor.  Libya,  that  gains  her  fame  from  greatest  land. 

King.  What  other  offspring,  born  of  her,  dost  tell  of? 

Chor.  Sire  of  my  sire  here,  Belos,  with  two  sons. 

King.  Tell  me  then  now  the  name  of  yonder  sage. 

Chor.  Danaos,  whose  broth'er  boasts  of  fifty  sous. 

King.  Tell  me  his  name,  too,  with  ungrudging  speech. 

Chor.  .ZEgyptos :  knowing  now  our  ancient  stock, 
Take  heed  thou  bid  thine  Argive  suppliants  rise. 

King.  Ye  seem,  indeed,  to  make  your  ancient  claim 
To  this  our  country  good  :  but  how  came  ye 
To  leave  your  father's  house  ?    What  chance  constrained 
you  ? 

(1)  The  line  is  conjectural,  but  some  question  of  this  kind  is  implied  is 
the  answer  of  the  Chorus. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


Chor.  0  king  of  the  Pelasgi,  manifold 
Are  ills  of  mortals,  and  thou  could'st  not  find 
The  self-same  form  of  evil  anywhere. 
Who  would  have  said  that  this  unlooked-for  flight 
Would  bring  to  Argos  race  once  native  here, 
Driving  them  forth  in  hate  of  wedlock's  couch? 

King.  What  seek'st  thou    then  of  these  the  Gods  oi 

conflicts, 
Holding  your  wool-wreathed  branches  newly-plucked  ? 

Clior.  That  I  serve  not  JEgyptos'  sons  as  slave. 

King.    Speak'st  thou  of  some  old  feud,  or  breach  of 
right  ?  33° 

Clior.    Nay,  who'd  find  fault  with  master  that  one 
loved? 

King.  Yet  thus  it  is  that  mortals  grow  in  strength.1 

Chor.  Time  ;  when  men  fail,  'tis  easy  to  desert  them. 

King.  How  then  to  you  may  I  act  reverently  ? 

Chor.  Yield  us  not  up  unto  JEgyptos'  sons. 

I^ing.  Hard  boon  thou  ask'st,  to  wage  so  strange  a  war. 

Chor.  Nay,  Justice  champions  those  who  fight  with  her. 

King.  Yes,  if  her  hand  was  in  it  from  the  first. 

Chor.  Yet  reverence  thou  the  state-ship's  stem  thus 
wreathed,* 

King.  I  tremble  as  1  see  these  seats  thus  shadowed.    M0 

STBOPH.  I. 
Chor.  Dread  is  the  •vrratii  of  Zeue,  the  God  of  sup- 

pliants : 

Son  of  Palsechthon,  hear  , 
Hear,  0  Pelasgic  king,  with  kindly  b.eart. 
Behold  me  suppliant,  exile,  wanderer, 
*Like  heifer  chased  by  wolves 
Upon  the  lofty  crags, 
Where,  trusting  in  her  strength, 

(1}  By  sacrificing  personal  likings  to  schemes  of  ambitkm,  men  and 
women  contract  marriages  which  increase  their  power. 

(a)  The  Gods  of  conflict  are  the  pilots  of  the  ship  of  the  State.  The 
altar  dedicated  to  them  is  as  its  stern  ;  the  garlands  and  wan  da  of  nip- 
piiants  which  adorn  it  are  as  the  decorations  of  thu  vessel*. 


ISO  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


She  liftoth  up  her  voice 
And  to  the  shepherd  tells  her  tale  of  grief. 

King.    I  see,    o'ershadowed  with    the    new- plucked 

boughs, 

*Bent  low,  a  band  these  Gods  of  conflict  own  ; 
And   may  our  dealings  with  these  home-sprung  stran- 
gers ** 
Be  without  peril,  nor  let  strife  arise 
To  this  our  country  for  unlooked-for  chance 
And  unprovided  1     This  our  State  wants  not. 

ANTISTBOPH.  I. 
Chor.  Yea,  may  that  Law  that  guards  the  suppliant's 

right 

Free  this  our  flight  from  harm, 
Law,  sprung  from  Zeus,  supreme  Apportioner, 
But  thou,  [to  the  King,']  though  old,  from  me,  though 

younger,  learn : 
If  thou  a  suppliant,  pity 
Thou  ne'er  shalt  penury  know, 
So  long  as  Gods  receive 
Within  their  sacred  shrines 
Gifts  at  the  hands  of  worshipper  unstained. 

King.  It  is  not  at  my  hearth  ye  suppliant  eit ; 
But  if  the  State  be  as  a  whole  denied,  tu 

Be  it  the  people's  task  to  work  the  cure. 
I  cannot  pledge  my  promise  to  you  first 
Ere  I  have  counselled  with  my  citizens.1 
STnopH.  II. 

Chor.  Thou   art  the  State — yea,   thou  the  common- 
wealth, 

Chief  lord  whom  none  may  judge ; 
'Tis  thine  to  rule  the  country's  altar-hearth, 

(1)  Some  editors  have  seen  in  this  an  attempt  to  enlist  the  constitu- 
tional Hympathies  or  an  Athenian  audience  in  favour  of  the  Argive  knitf, 
who  will  not  act  without  consulting  his  assembly.  There  seems  more 
reason  to  think  that  the  aim  of  the  dramatist  was  in  precisely  the  oppo- 
site direction,  and  that  the  words  which  follow  set  forth  his  admiration 
for  the  king?  who  can  act,  as  compared  with  one  ttho  is  tied  and  hampered 
by  restrictions. 


TUB    SUPPLIANTS. 


With  the  sole  vote  of  thy  prevailing  nod; 

And  thou  on  throne  of  state, 

Sole  -sceptred  in  thy  sway, 
Bringest  each  matter  to  its  destined  end  ; 

Shun  thou  the  curse  of  guilt. 

King.  Upon  my  foes  rest  that  dread  curse  of  guilt  I    *" 
Yet  without  harm  I  cannot  succour  you, 
Nor  gives  it  pleasure  to  reject  your  prayers. 
In  a  sore  strait  am  I  ;  fear  fills  my  soul 
To  take  the  chance,  to  do  or  not  to  do. 

ANTISTBOPH.  II. 

Chor.  Look  thou  on  Him  who  looks  on  all  from  heaven, 

Guardian  of  suffering  men 

Who,  worn  with  toil,  unto  their  neighbours  come 
As  suppliants,  and  receive  not  justice  due  : 

For  these  the  wrath  of  Zeus, 

Zeus,  the  true  suppliant's  God, 
Abides,  bjr  wail  of  sufferer  unappeased. 

King.  Yet  if  2Egyptos'  sons  have  claim  on  thee 
By  their  State's  law,  asserting  that  they  come 
As  next  of  kin,  who  dare  oppose  their  right  ? 
Thou  must  needs  plead  that  by  thy  laws  at  home 
They  over  thee  have  no  authority.1 

STROPH.  III. 
Chor.  Ah  !  may  I  ne'er  be  captive  to  the  might 

Of  males  !     Where'er  the  stars 
Are  seen  in  heaven,  I  track  my  way  in  flight, 
As  refuge  from  a  marriage  that  I  hate. 

But  thou,  make  Eight  thy  friend, 
And  hon  DUT  what  the  Gods  count  pure  and  true,  *** 

(1)  By  an  Attic  law,  analogous  in  principle  to  that  of  the  Jews,  (Num. 
xxxvi.  8;  1  Chron.  xxiit.  '22),  heiresses  were  absolutely  bound  to  marry 
their  next  of  kin,  if  he  claimed  his  right.  The  king  at  once  asserts  this 
as  the  law  which  was  priuta  facie  applicable  to  the  case,  and  declares  hini- 
eelf  ready  to  surrender  it  if  the  petitioners  can  show  that  their  own 
municipal  law  is  on  the  other  side.  He  will  not  thrust  his  country's  cus- 
toms upon  foreigners,  who  can  prove  that  they  live  under  a  different  rula. 
but  in  the  absence  of  evidence  must  act  on  the  law  which  he  in  bound 
officially  to  recognise. 


15*  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


King.  Hard  is  the  judgment :  choose  not  me  as  judge. 
But,  as  I  said  before,  I  may  not  act 
Without  the  people,  sovereign  though  I  be, 
Lest  the  crowd  say,  should  aiight  fall  out  amiss, 
"  In  honouring  strangers,  thou  the  State  did'st  ruin." 

ANTISTR6PH.  III. 

Clior.  Zeus,  the  great  God  of  kindred,  in  these  things 

Watches  o'er  both  of  us, 
Holding  an  equal  scale,  and  fitly  giving 
To  the  base  evil,  to  the  righteous  blessing. 

Why,  when  these  things  are  set 
In  even  balance,  fear'st  thou  to  do  right  ?  *" 

King.  Deep  thought  we  noed  that  brings  deliverance, 
That,  like  a  diver,  mine  eye  too  may  plunge 
Clear-seeing  to  the  depths,  not  wine-bedrenched, 
That  these  things  may  be  harmless  to  the  -State, 
And  to  ourselves  may  issue  favourably  : 
That  neither  may  the  strife  make  you  its  prey, 
Nor  that  we  give  you  up,  who  thus  are  set 
Near  holy  seat  of  Gods,  and  so  bring  in 
To  dwell  with  us  the  Avenger  terrible, 
God  that  destroyeth,  who  not  e'en  in  Hades  •" 

Gives  freedom  to  the  dead.     Say,  think  ye  not 
That  there  is  need  of  counsel  strong  to  save  ? 
STKOPH.  L 

Chor.  Take  heed  to  it,  and  be 
Friend  to  the  stranger  wholly  faithful  found ; 

Desert  not  thou  the  poor, 
Driven  from  afar  by  godless  violence. 

ASTISTBOPH.  I. 

See  me  not  dragged  away, 
0  thou  that  rul'st  the  land  !  from  seat  of  Gods  : 

Know  thou  men's  wanton  pride, 
And  guard  thyself  against  the  wrath  of  Zeus. 

STBOPH.  II. 
Endure  not  thou  to  see  thy  suppliant, 

Despite  of  law,  torn  off, 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  153 


As  horses  by  their  frontlets,  from  the  forma 

Of  sculptured  deities, 
Nor  yet  the  outrage  of  their  wanton  hands, 

Seizing  these  broidered  robes. 

AJITISTBOWI.  n. 
For  know  thou  well,  whichever  course  thou  take, 

Thy  sons  and  all  thy  house 
*Must  pay  in  war  the  debt  that  Justice  claims, 

Proportionate  in  kind.  ** 

Lay  well  to  heart  these  edicts,  wise  and  true, 

Given  by  great  Zeus  himself. 

King.  Well  then  have  I  thought  o'er  it.  To  this  point 
Our  ship's  course  drives.  Fierce  war  we  needs  must  risk 
Either  with  these  (pointing  to  the  Gods')  or  those.  Set  fast 

and  firm 

Is  this  as  is  the  ship  tight  wedged  in  stocks ; 
And  without  trouble  there's  no  issue  out. 
For  wealth  indeed,  were  our  homes  spoiled  of  that, 
There  might  come  other,  thanks  to  Zeus  the  Giver, 
More  than  the  loss,  and  filling  up  the  freight ;  *** 

And  if  the  tongue  should  aim  its  adverse  darts, 
Baleful  and  over-stimulant  of  wrath, 
There  might  be  words  those  words  to  heal  and  soothe. 
But  how  to  blot  the  guilt  of  kindred  blood, 
This  needs  a  great  atonement — many  victims 
Falling  to  many  Gods — to  heal  the  woe. 
*I  take  my  part,  and  turn  aside  from  strife ; 
Ajid  I  far  rather  would  be  ignorant 
Than  wise,  forecasting  evil.     May  the  end, 
Against  my  judgment,  show  itself  as  good ! 

Ghur.  Hear,  then,  the  last  of  all  our  pleas  for  pity. 
King.    I  hear  ;    speak  on.      It  shall    not  'scape  my 
heed.  «* 

Chor.  Girdles  I  have,  and  zones  that  bind  my  robes. 
King.  Such  things  are  fitting  for  a  woman's  state. 
Chor.   With  these  then,  know,  as  gool  and  rare  de« 
vice  .  .  . 


t$4  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


King.  Nay,  speak.    What  word  is  this  thou'lt  utter 
now  ? 

Chor.    Unless    thou    giv'st    our    band    thy    plighted 
word  .... 

King.  "What  wilt  thou  do  with  this  device  of  girdles  P 

Chor.  With  tablets  new  these  sculptures  we'll  adorn. 

King.  Thou  speak'st  a  riddle.   Make  thy  meaning  plain. 

Chor.  Upon  these  Gods  we'll  hang  ourselves  at  once. 

King.  I  hear  a  word  which  pierces  to  the  heart.          *80 

Chor.  Thou  see'st  our  meaning.     Eyes  full  clear  I've 
given. 

King.  Lo  then !  in  many  ways  sore  troubles  come. 
A  host  of  evils  rushes  like  a  flood ; 
A  sea  of  woe  none  traverse,  fathomless, 
This  have  I  entered ;  haven  there  is  none. 
For  if  I  fail  to  do  this  work  for  you, 
Thou  tellest  of  defilement  unsurpassed ;  * 
And  if  for  thee  against  vEgyptos'  sons, 
Thy  kindred,  I  before  my  city's  walls 
In  conflict  stand,  how  can  there  fail  to  be 
A  bitter  loss,  to  stain  the  earth  with  blood  ** 

Of  man  for  woman's  sake  ?     And  yet  I  needa 
Must  fear  the  wrath  of  Zeus,  the  suppliant's  God  ; 
That  dread  is  mightiest  with  the  sons  of  men. 
Thou,  then,  0  aged  father  of  these  maidens ! 
Taking  forthwith  these  branches  in  thine  arms, 
Lay  them  on  other  altars  of  the  Gods 
Our  country  worships,  that  the  citizens 
May  all  behold  this  token  of  thy  coming, 
And  about  me  let  no  rash  speech  be  dropped ; 
For  'tis  a  people  prompt  to  blame  their  rulers. 
And  then  perchance  some  one  beholding  them,  ** 

And  pitying,  may  wax  wrathful  'gainst  the  outrage 
Of  that  male  troop,  and  with  more  kindly  will 
The  people  look  on  you ;  for  evermore 
Men  all  wish  well  unto  the  weaker  side. 

(1)  Sc.,  the  pollution  which  the  statues  of  the  Gods  would  contract  tf 
they  saiiied  into  execution  their  threat  of  suicide. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  155 

Dan.  This  boon  is  counted  by  us  of  great  price, 
To  find  a  patron  proved  so  merciful. 
And  thou,  send  with  us  guides  to  lead  us  on, 
And  tell  us  how  before  their  shrines  to  find 
The  altars  of  the  Gods  that  guard  the  State, 
*And  holy  places  columned  round  about; 
And  safety  for  us,  as  the  town  we  traverse. 
Not  of  like  fashion  is  our  features'  stamp ;  ** * 

For  Neilos  rears  not  race  like  Inachos.1 
Take  heed  lest  rashness  lead  to  bloodshed  here ; 
Ere  now,  unknowing,  men  have  slain  their  friends. 

King  (to  Attendants').  Go  then,  my  men;  full  well  the 

stranger  speaks .; 

And  lead  him  where  the  city's  altars  stand, 
The  seats  of  Gods ;  and  see  ye  talk  not  not  much 
To  passers-by  as  ye  this  traveller  lead, 
A  suppliant  at  the  altar-hearth  of  Gods. 

[Exeunt  DANAOS  and  Attendants. 

Clior.  Thou  speak' st  to  him;  and  maybe  go  as  bidden  1 
But  what  shall  I  do  ?     What  hope  giv'st  thou  me  ? 

King.   Leave  here  those  boughs,  the  token  of  your 
grief.  ** 

Chor.  Lo !  here  I  leave  them  at  thy  beck  and  word. 

King.  Now  turn  thy  steps  towards  this  open  lawn. 

Chor.  What  shelter  gives  a  lawn  unconsecrate  ?  a 

King.  We  will  not  yield  thee  up  to  birds  of  prey. 

Chor.  Nay,  but  to  foes  far  worse  than  fiercest  dragons. 

King.  Good  words  should  come  from  those  who  good 
hare  heard. 

Chor.  No  wonder  they  wax  hot  whom  fear  enthrals. 

King.  But  dread  is  still  for  rulers  all  unmeet. 

Chor.  Do  thou  then  cheer  our  soul  by  words  and  deeds. 

King.  Nay,   no  long   time  thy  sire  will    leave  thea 
lorn ;  «° 

(1)  Inachos,  the  river-God  of  Argos,  and'  as  such  contrasted  \ritli 
Neilos. 

(•2)  i.e.,  "  Unconsecrate,"  marked  out  by  no  barriers,  accessible  to  all, 
and  therefore  seeming  to  offer  but  little  prospect  of  a  safe  asylum.  Tha 
pl;ice  described  seems  to  have  been  an  open  piece  of  turf  rather  than  • 
grove  of  ti  ted. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


And  I,  all  people  of  the  land  convening, 

Will  the  great  mass  persuade  to  kindly  words ; 

And  I  will  teach  thy  father  what  to  say. 

Wherefore  remain  and  ask  our  country's  Gods, 

With  suppliant  prayers,  to  grant  thy  soul's  desire, 

And  I  will  go  in  furtheiance  of  thy  \vish  : 

Sweet  Suasion  follow  us,  and  Fortune  good  I  [Exit. 

STEOPH.  L 

CJior.  0  King  of  kings  !  and  blest 

Above  all  blessed  ones, 
And  Power  most  mighty  of  the  mightiest  I 

O  Zeus,  of  high  estate  !  •* 

Hear  thou  and  grant  our  prayer  I 
Drive  thou  far  off  the  wantonness  of  men, 

The  pride  thou  hatest  sore, 
And  in  the  pool  of  darkling  purple  hue 
Plunge  thou  the  woe  that  comes  in  swarthy  barque. 

ANTISTBOPH.  I. 

Look  on  the  women's  causo ; 

Hecall  the  ancient  tale, 
Of  one  whom  Thou  did'st  love  in  time  of  old, 

The  mother  of  our  race : 

Eemember  it,  O  Thou 
Who  did'st  on  lo  lay  thy  mystic  touch. 

We  boast  that  we  are  come 

Of  consecrated  land  the  habitants,  •• 

And  from  this  land  by  lineage  high  descended. 

STROPH.  II. 

Now  to  the  ancient  track, 

Our  mother's,  I  have  passed, 
The  flowery  meadow-land  where  she  was  watched,— 

The  pastures  of  the  herd, 
Whence  lo,  by  the  stinging  gadfly  driven, 

Flees,  of  her  sense  bereft, 
Passing  through  many  tribes  of  mortal  men ; 

And  then  by  Fate's  decree 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  157 


Crossing  the  billowy  straits, 

On  either  side  she  leaves  a  continent.1  *** 

ANTISTROPH.  IL 

Now  through  the  Asian  land 

She  hastens  o'er  and  o'er, 
Hight  through  the  Phrygian  fields  where  feed  the  flocks ; 

And  passes  Teuthras'  fort, 
Owned  by  the  Mysians,2  and  the  Lydian  plains ; 

And  o'er  Kilikian  hills, 
And  those  of  far  Pamphylia  rushing  on, 

By  ever-flowing  streams, 

On  to  the  deep,  rich  lands, 
And  Aphrodite's  home  in  wheat  o'erflowing.' 

STBOPH.  in. 
And  so  she  cometh,  as  that  herdsman  winged  ** 

Pierces  with  sharpest  sting, 
To  holy  plain  all  forms  of  life  sustaining, 

Fields  that  are  fed  from  snows,* 
Which  Typhon's  monstrous  strength  has  traversed,* 

And  unto  Neilos'  streams, 

By  sicily  taint  untouched,8 
Still  maddened  with  her  toil  of  ignominy, 
By  torturing  stings  driven  on,  great  Hera's  frenzied  slave. 

ANTISTBOPH.  m. 
And  those  who  then  the  lands  inhabited, 

Quivered  with  pallid  fear,  *• 

!t)  Comp.  the  narrative  as  given  in  Prometheus  Bound,  vr.  660,  et  seq. 
2)  Teuthras'  fort,  or  Teuthrania,  is  described  by  Strabo  (xii.  p.  571)  a* 
lying  between  the  Hellespont  and  Mount  Sipylos,  in  Magnesia. 

(3)  Kypros,  as  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  Aphrodite,  and  famous  for 
its  wine,  and  oil,  and  corn, 

(4)  The  question,  what  caused  the  mysterious  exceptional  inundntiona 
of  the  Nile,  occupied,  as  we  see  from  Herodotos  (it.  c.  19-27),  the  minds 
of  the  Greeks.     Of   the  four  theories  which  the  historian  discusses, 
.^schylps  adopts  that  which  referred  it  to  the  melting  of  the  snows  on  the 
mountains  of  central  Africa, 

(5)  Typhen,  the  mythical  embodiment  of  the  power  of  evil,  was  fabled 
to  have  wandered  over  Egypt,  seeking-  the  body  of  Osiris.    Isis,  to  baffle 
him,  placed  coffins  in  all  parts  of  Egypt,  all  empty  but  the  one  which  con- 
tained the  body. 

(6)  The  fame  of  the  Nile  for  the  purity  of  its  water,  after  the  earthly 
matter  held  in  solution  had  been  deposited,  seems  to  have  been  as  great  in 
the  earliest  periods  of  its  history  as  it  is  now. 


158  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


That  filled  their  soul  at  that  unwonted  marvel, 

Seeing  that  monstrous  shape, 

The  human  joined  with  brute, 
Half  heifer,  and  half  form  of  woman  fair : l 

And  sore  amazed  were  they. 

Who  was  it  then  that  soothed 
Poor  lo,  wandering  in  her  sore  affright, 
Driven  on,  and  ever  on,  by  gadfly's  maddening  sting  f 

STBOPH.  IV. 

Zeus,  Lord  of  endless  time 

[Was  seen  All-working  then ;"] 
He,  even  He,  for  by  his  sovereign  might 
That  works  no  ill,  was  she  from  evil  freed ;  ** 

And  by  his  breath  divine 
She  findeth  rest,  and  weeps  in  floods  of  tears 

Her  sorrowing  shame  away ; 

And  with  new  burden  big, 

Not  falsely  '  Zeus-born  '  named, 
Bhe  bare  a  son  that  grew  in  faultless  growth, 

ANTISTBOPH.  IV. 

Prosperous  through  long,  long  years ; 
And  so  the  whole  land  shouts  with  one  accord, 
"  Lo,  a  race  sprung  from  him,  the  Lord  of  life, 

In  very  deed,  Zeus-born!  •* 

"Who  else  had  checked  the  plagues  that  Hera  sent  ?  " 

This  is  the  work  of  Zeus : 

And  speaking  of  our  race 

That  sprang  from  Epaphos 
As  such,  thou  would'st  not  fail  to  hit  the  mark. 

STBOPH.  V. 
Which  of  the  Gods  could  I  with  right  invoke 

As  doing  juster  deeds  ? 
He  is  our  Father,  author  of  our  life, 

(1)  To  was  represented  as  a  woman  with  a  heifer's  head,  and  was  pro- 
bably a  symbolic  representation  of  the  moon,  with  her  crescent  horns. 
Sometimes  the  transformation  is  described  (as  in  v.  294}  in  words  which 
imply  a  more  thorough  change. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  I$g 

The  "King  -whose  right  hand  worketh  all  his  will, 
Our  line's  great  author,  in  his  counsels  deep 

Eecording  things  of  old, 
Directing  all  his  plans,  the  great  work-master,  Zeiufc 

ANTISTBOPH.  V. 
For  not  as  subject  hastening  at  the  beck 

Of  strength  above  his  own,1 

Beigns  He  subordinate  to  mightier  powers;  *° 

Nor  does  He  pay  his  homage  from  below, 
While  One  sits  throned  in  majesty  above;* 

Act  is  for  him  as  speech, 
To  hasten  what  his  teeming  mind  resolves. 

Re-enter  DANAOS. 

Dan.  Be  of  good  cheer,  my  children.     All  goes  well 
With  those,  who  dwell  here,  and  the  people's  voice 
Hath  passed  decrees  full,  firm,  irrevocable. 

Chor.  Hail,  aged  sire,  that  telPst  me  right  good  news  I 
But  say  with  what  intent  the  vote  hath  passed, 
And  on  which  side  the  people's  hands  prevail. 

Dan.  The  Argives  have  decreed  without  division, 
So  that  my  aged  mind  grew  young  again ;  **• 

For  in  full  congress,  with  their  right  hands  raised 
Eustled  the  air  as  they  decreed  their  vote 
That  we  should  sojourn  in  their  land  as  tree, 
Free  from  arrest,  and  with  asylum  rights ; 
And  that  no  native  here  nor  foreigner 
Should  lead  us  off;  and,  should  he  venture  force, 
That  every  citizen  who  gave  not  help 
Dishonoured  should  be  driven  to  exile  forth. 
Such  counsel  giving,  the  Pelasgian  King  •*• 

Gained  their  consent,  proclaiming  that  great  wrath 

(1)  Perhapa- 

"  For  not  as  subject  sitting  'neath  the  sway 
Of  strength  above  his  own." 

(2)  The  passage  takes  its  place  union;;  the  noblest  utterances  of  a  faith 
passing-  above  the  popular  polytheism  to  the  thought  of  one  sovereign 
Will  ruling  and  guiding  all  things,  as  Will,— without  effort,  in  the  calm- 
ness of  a  power  irresistible. 


l6O  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 

Of  Zeus  the  God  of  suppliants  ne'er  would  let 
The  city  wax  in  fatness, — warning  them 
That  double  guilt l  upon  the  State  would  come, 
Touching  at  once  both  guests  and  citizens, 
The  food  and  sustenance  of  sore  disease 
That  none  could  heal.     And  then  the  Argive  host. 
Hearing  these  things,  decreed  by  show  ot  hands, 
Not  waiting  for  the  herald's  proclamation, 
So  it  should  be.     They  heard,  indeed,  the  crowd 
Of  those  Pelasgi,  all  the  winning  speech, 
The  well- turned  phrases  cunning  to  persuade ; 
But  it  was  Zeus  that  brought  the  end  to  pass. 
Chor.  Come  then,  come,  let  us  speak  for  Argives 

Prayers  that  are  good  for  good  deeds  done;          ** 
Zeus,  who  o'er  all  strangers  watches, 
May  He  regard  with  his  praise  and  favour 
The  praise  that  comes  from  the  lips  of  strangers, 
*And  guide  in  all  to  a  faultless  issue. 

STBOPH.  I. 

Half-Chor.   A.  Now,  now,  at  last,  ye  Gods  of  Zeua 

begotten,2 

Hear,  as  I  pour  my  prayers  upon  their  race, 
That  ne'er  may  this  Pelasgic  city  raise 
From  out  its  flames  the  joyless  cry  of  War, 

War,  that  in  other  fields 

Beapeth  his  human  crop : 

For  they  have  mercy  shewn, 

And  passed  their  kind  decree,  «• 

Pitying  this  piteous  flock,  the  suppliants  of  great  Zeus. 

AjfTISTBOPH.  I. 

They  did  not  take  their  stand  with  men  'gainst  women 
Casting  dishonour  on  their  plea  for  help, 

(1)  Double,  as  involving1  a  sin  against  the  laws  of  hospitality,  BO  far  am 
the  suppliants  were  strangers— a  sin  against  the  laws  ot  kindred,  so  fiir  am 
they  might  claim  by  descent  the  rights  ot  citizenship. 

(2)  If,  as  has  been  conjectured,  the  tragedy  was  written  with  a  view  to 
the  alliance  between  Argos  and  Athens,  made  in  B.C.  461,  this  choral  oda 
must  have  been  the  centre,  if  not  of  the  dramatic,  at  all  events  of  th« 
political  interest  of  the  play. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  l6l 


*But  looked  to  Him  who  sees  and  works  from  heaven, 
*Full  hard  to  war  with.     Yea,  what  house  could  bear 

To  sea  Him  on  its  roof 

Casting  pollution  there  ?  * 

Sore  vexing  there  he  sits. 

Yes,  they  their  kin  revere, 

Suppliants  of  holiest  Zeus  ;  ** 

Therefore  with  altars  pure  shall  they  the  Gods  delight. 

STBOPH.  II. 

Therefore  from  faces  by  our  boughs  o'ershadowed  ' 
Let  prayers  ascend  in  emulous  eagerness : 

Ne'er  may  dark  pestilence 

This  State  of  men  bereave ; 

May  no  fierce  party-strife 
Pollute  these  plains  with  native  carcases ; 

And  may  the  bloom  of  youth 

Be  with  them  still  uncropt ; 
And  ne'er  may  Aphrodite's  paramour,  ** 

Ares  the  scourge  of  men, 

Mow  down  their  blossoms  fair  I 

AJJTISTP.OPH.  H. 

And  let  the  altars  tended  by  the  old 
*Blaze  with  the  gifts  of  men  with  hoary  hairs  ; 

So  may  the  State  live  on 

In  full  prosperity ! 

Let  them  great  Zeus  adore, 
The  strangers'  God,  the  one  Supreme  on  high, 

By  venerable  law 

Ordering  the  course  of  fate. 
And  next  we  pray  that  ever  more  and  more 

Earth  may  her  tribute  bear, 
And  Artemis  as  Hecate  preside  s 

O'er  woman's  travail-pangs. 

(1)  The  image  is  that  of  a  bird  of  evil  omen,  perched  upon  the  roof,  and 
defiling  the  house,  while  it  uttered  its  boding  cries. 

(2)  The  suppliants'  boughs,  so  held  as  to  shade  the  face  from  view. 

(3)  The  name  of  Hecate  connected  Artemis  as,  on  the  one  side,  with 
the  unseen  world  of  Hades,  so,  on  the  other,  with  child-birth,  and  the 
purit nations  that  followed  on  it. 

1C 


THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


STBOPH.  IIL 

Let  no  destroying  strife  come  on,  invading 

This  city  to  lay  waste, 

Setting  in  fierce  array 

"War,  with  its  fruit  of  tears. 

Lyreless  and  danceless  all, 

And  cry  of  people's  wrath  ; 

And  may  the  swarm  of  plagues, 

Loathly  and  foul  to  see, 
Abide  far  off  from  these  our  citizens, 
And  that  Lykeian  king,  may  He  be  found 
Benignant  to  our  youth  !  l 

ASTISTROPH.  HI. 

And  Zeus,  may  He,  by  his  supreme  decree, 

Make  the  earth  yit  Id  her  fruits 

Through  all  the  seasons  round, 

And  grant  a  plenteous  brood 

Of  herds  that  roam  the  fields  ! 

May  Heaven  all  good  gifts  pour, 

And  may  the  voice  of  song 

Ascend  o'er  altar  shrines, 

TJnmarred  by  sounds  of  ill  ! 
And  let  the  voice  that  loves  with  lyre  to  blend 
Go  forth  from  lips  of  blameless  holiness, 

In  accents  of  great  joy  ! 

STBOPH.  IV. 

*And  may  the  rule  in  which  the  people  share 
Keep  the  State's  functions  as  in  perfect  peace, 
E'en  that  which  sways  the  crowd, 
*Which  sways  the  commonwealth, 
By  counsels  wise  and  good  ; 
And  to  the  strangers  and  the  sojourners 
May  they  grant  rights  that  rest  on  compacts  sure, 

(1)  The  name  Lykeian,  originally,  perhaps,  simply  representing 
Apollo  as  the  God  of  Light,  came  afterwards  to  be  associated  with  tha 
might  of  destruction  (the  Wolf-destroyer)  and  the  darts  of  pestilence 
and  sudden  death..  The  prayer  is  therefore  that  he,  the  Uestroyer, 
may  hearken  to  the  suppliants,  and  spare  the  people  for  whom  thej 
pray. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  l6j 


Ere  War  is  roused  to  arms, 
So  that  110  trouble  come  I 

ANTISTUOPH.  IV. 

And  the  great  Gods  who  o'er  this  country  watch, 
May  they  adore  them  in  the  land  They  guard, 

With  rites  of  sacrifice, 

And  troops  with  laurel  boughs, 

As  did  our  sires  of  old  ! 
For  thus  to  honour  these  who  gave  us  life, 
This  stands  as  one  of  three  great  laws  on  high,1 

Written  as  fixed  and  firm, 

The  laws  of  Eight  revered. 
Dan.  I  praise  these    seemly   prayers,    dear   children 

mine. 

But  fear  ye  not,  if  I  your  father  speak 
Words  that  are  new,  and  all  unlooked-for  by  you ; 
For  from  this  station  to  the  suppliant  given 
I  see  the  ship  ;  too  clear  to  be  mistaken 
The  swelling  sails,  the  bulwark's  coverings, 
And  prow  with  eyes  that  scan  the  onward  way,' 
But  too  obedient  to  the  steerman's  helm, 
Being,  as  it  is,  unfriendly.     And  the  men 
Who  sail  in  her  with  swarthy  limbs  are  seen, 
In  raiment  white  conspicuous.    And  I  see  *** 

Full  clear  the  other  ships  that  come  to  help ; 
And  this  as  leader,  putting  in  to  shore, 
Furling  its  sails,  is  rowed  with  equal  stroke. 
Tis  yours,  with  mood  of  calm  and  steadfast  soul, 
To  face  the  fact,  and  not  to  slight  the  Gods.  , 

And  I  will  come  with  friends  and  advocates ; 
For  herald,  it  may  be,  or  embassy, 
May  come,  and  wish  to  seize  and  bear  you  off, 
Grasping  their  prey.     But  nought  of  this  shall  be ; 

(1)  The  "  thr«>€  great  laws  '*  were  those  ascribed  to  Triptolemos,  "  t« 
honour  parents,  to  worship  the  Gods  with  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  to  hart 
neither  man  nor  boost." 

(2)  The  Egyptian  ships,  like  those  of  many  other  Eastern  countries, 
had  eyes  (the  eyes  of  Osiris,  as  they  were  called}  painted  on  theii  pom. 


164  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 

Fear  ye  not  them.     It  were  well  done,  however. 
If  we  should  linger  in  our  help,  this  succour  w 

In  no  wise  to  forget.     Take  courage  then ; 
In  their  own  time  and  at  the  appointed  day, 
"Whoever  slights  the  Gods  shall  pay  for  it. 
STBOPH.  I. 

Chor.  I  fear,  my  father,  since  the  swift-winged  ships 
Are  come,  and  very  short  the  time  that's  left. 
A  shuddering  anguish  makes  me  sore  afraid, 
Lest  small  the  profit  of  my  wandering  flight. 
I  faint,  my  sire,  for  fear. 

Dan.  My  children,  since  the  Argives'  vote  is  passed, 
Take  courage  :  they  will  fight  for  thee,  I  know.  *" 

AjfTISTROPH.  I. 

Chor.  Hateful  and  wanton  are  JEgyptos'  sons, 
Insatiable  of  conflict,  and  I  speak 
To  one  who  knows  them.     They  in  timbered  ships, 
Dark-eyed,  have  sailed  in  wrath  that  hits  its  mark, 
With  great  and  swarthy  host. 

Dan.  Yet  many  they  shall  find  whose  arms  are  tanned 
In  the  full  scorching  of  the  noontide  heat.1 
STBOPH.  II. 

Chor.  Leave  me  not  here  alone,  I  pray  thee,  father  I 
Alone,  a  woman  is  as  nought,  and  war 
Is  not  for  her.     Of  over-subtle  mind, 
And  subtle  counsel  in  their  souls  impure, 
Like  ravens,  e'en  for  altars  caring  not, — 
Such,  such  in  soul  are  they. 

"Dan   That  would  work  well  indeed  for  us,  my  children, 
Should  they  be  foes  to  Gods  as  unto  thee. 

AXTISTBOPH.  II. 

Chor.  No  reverence  for  these  tridents  or  the  shrines 
Of  Gods,  my  father,  will  restrain  their  hands : 

(11  A  side-thrnst,  directed  by  the  poe',,  wl.o  had  fought  at  Marathon, 
against  the  growing  effeminacy  of  the  Athenian  youth,  many  of  whom 
were  learning  to  shrink  Irom  all  activity  and  exposure  that  might  spot! 
tlttar  complexion*.  Comp.  1'lato,  Phuedroa,  p.  23U. 


THtt    SUPPLIANTS.  165 

Full  stout  of  heart,  of  godless  mood  unblest, 
JFed  to  the  full,  and  petulant  as  dogs, 
And  for  tho  voice  of  high  Gods  caring  not,— 
Such,  such  in  soul  are  they. 

Dan.  Nay,  the  tale  runs  that  wolves  prevail  o'er  dogp; Tfc 
And  byblos  fruit  excels  not  ear  of  corn.1 

Chor.  But  since  their  minds  are  as  the  minds  of  brutes, 
Eestless  and  vain,  we  must  beware  of  foi*ce. 

Dan.  Not  rapid  is  the  getting  under  weigh 
Of  naval  squadron,  nor  their  anchoring, 
Nor  the  safe  putting  into  shore  with  cables. 
Nor  have  the  shepherds  of  swift  ships  quick  trust 
In  anchor-fastenings,  most  of  all,  as  now, 
When  coming  to  a  country  havenless  ; 
And  when  the  sun  has  yielded  to  the  night, 
That  night  brings  travail  to  a  pilot  wise,  T* 

[Though  it  be  calm  and  all  the  waves  sleep  still ;] 
So  neither  can  this  army  disembark 
Before  the  ship  is  safe  in  anchorage. 
And  thou  beware  lest  in  thy  panic  fear 
Thou  slight  the  Gods  whom  thou  hast  called  to  help. 
The  city  will  not  blame  your  messenger, 
Old  though  he  be,  being  young  in  clear  voiced-thought. 

Exit. 

STBOT>H.  L 

Chor.  Ah,  me !  thou  land  of  jutting  promontory 

Which  justly  all  revere, 
What  lies  before  us  ?    Whore  in  Apian  land 

Shall  we  a  refuge  find, 
If  still  there  be  dark  hiding  anywhere  P 

Ah !  that  I  were  as  smoke 

fll  The  saying  is  somewhat  dark,  but  the  meaning  seems  to  be  that  if 
the  dogs"  of  Egypt  are  strong,  the  "wolves"  of  Argos  are  stronger  ; 
that  the  wheat  on  which  the  Hellenes  lived  g;ive  greater  strength  tolimts 
and  sinew  than  the  "  byblos  fruit"  on  which  the  Egyptian  soldiers  and 
wilors  habitually  lived.  Some  writers,  however,  have  seen  in  the  lart 
line,  rendered— 

"  The  byblos  fruit  not  always  bears  full  ear," 
A  proTeib  like  the  English. 

1  There's  many  a  slip 
'Twutt  the  ciip  and  the  lip." 


166  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 

That  riseth  full  and  black 

Nigh  to  the  clouds  of  Zeus, 
Or  soaring  up  on  high  invisible, 

Like  dust  that  vanishes, 
Pass  out  of  being  with  no  help  from  wings  t 

AXTISTBOPH.  L 

*E'en  so  the  ill  admits  not  now  of  flight ; 

My  heart  in  dark  gloom  throbs ; 
My  father's  work  as  watcher  brings  me  low ; 

I  faint  for  very  fear, 
And  I  would  fain  find  noose  that  bringeth  death, 

In  twisted  cordage  hung, 

Before  the  man  I  loathe 

Draws  near  this  flesh  of  mine : 
Sooner  than  that  may  Hades  rule  o'er  me 

Sleeping  the  sleep  of  death  I 

STEOPH.  IL 

Ah,  might  I  find  a  place  in  yon  high  vault, 
Where  the  rain-clouds  are  passing  into  snow, 
Or  lonely  precipice 
Whose  STimmit  none  can  see, 
Eock  whore  the  vulture  haunts, 
Witness  for  me  of  my  abysmal  fall, 
Before  the  marriage  that  will  pierce  my  heart 
Becomes  my  dreaded  doom  ! 

ANTISTBOPH.  IL 

I  shrink  not  from  the  thought  of  being  the  prey 
Of  dogs  and  birds  that  haunt  the  country  round  j 

For  death  shaW.  make  me  free 

From  ills  all  lamentable : 

Yea,  let  death  rather  come 
Than  the  worse  doom  of  hated  marriage-bed  I 
What  other  refuge  now  remains  for  me 

That  marriage  to  avert  ? 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  167 


STBOPH.  ITL 

Yea,  to  the  Gods  raise  thou 
Cloud-piercing,  wailing  cry 
Of  songs  and  litanies, 

Prevailing,  working  freedom  out  for  me : 
And  thou,  O  Father,  look, 
Look  down  upon  the  strife, 

"With  glance  of  wrath  against  our  enemies 
From  eyes  that  see  the  right ; 

"With  pity  look  on  us  thy  suppliants, 

O  Lord  of  Earth,  0  Zeus  omnipotent  I 

AXTISTBOPH.  IH. 

For  lo !  -3Sgyptos'  house, 

In  pride  intolerable, 

O'er-masculine  in  mood, 
Pursuing  me  in  many  a  winding  course, 

Poor  wandering  fugitive, 

With  loud  and  wild  desires, 
Seek  in  their  frenzied  violence  to  seize : 

But  thine  is  evermore 

The  force  that  turns  the  balance  of  the  scale : 
What  comes  to  mortal  men  apart  from  Thee  t 

Ah!  ah!  ah!  ah! 
*Here  on  the  land  behold  the  ravisher 

•  Who  comes  on  us  by  sea ! 
*Ah,  may'st  thou  perish,  ravisher,  ere  thou 

Hast  stopped  or  landed  here  ! 
*I  utter  cry  of  wailing  loud  and  long, 
*I  see  them  work  the  prelude  of  their  Crimea) 

Their  crimes  of  violence. 
Ah  !  ah  !     Ah  me ! 

Haste  in  your  flight  for  help ! 
The  mighty  ones  are  waxing  fat  and  proud. 
By  sea  and  land  alike  intolerable. 
Be  thou,  0  King,  our  bulwark  and  defence ! 


l68  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


Enter  Herald  of  the  sons  of  EYPTOS'  advancing  to  the 
daughters  of  DAXAOS. 

Her.  Haste,  haste  with  all  your  speed  unto  the  barque. 
Chor.  Tearing  of  hair,  yea,  tearing  now  will  come, 

And  print  of  nails  in  flesh, 

And  smiting  off  of  heads, 

With  murderous  stream  of  hlood. 
Her.  Haste,  haste  ye,  to  that  barque  that  yonder  lies, 

Ye  wretches,  curse  on  you. 

STROPH. L 

Chor.  Would  thou  had'st  met  thy  death 

Where  the  salt  waves  wildly  surge, 

Thou  with  thy  lordly  pride, 

In  nail-compacted  ship : 
*Lo !  they  will  smite  thee,  weltering  in  thy  blood,         MC 

*And  drive  thee  to  thy  barque. 
Her.  I  bid  you  cease  perforce,  the  cravings  wild 

Of  mind  to  madness  given. 

Ho  there  !  what  ho !  I  say;  •* 

Give  up  those  seats,  and  hasten  to  the  ship : 
I  reverence  not  what  this  State  honoureth. 

AXTISTBOPH.  L 

Chor.  Ah,  I  may  ne'er  again 
Behold  the  stream  where  graze  the  goodly  kine, 

Nourished  and  fed  by  which 1 
The  blood  of  cattle  waxes  strong  and  full  I 

*As  with  a  native's  right, 

*And  one  of  old  descent, 
I  keep,  old  man,  my  seat,  my  seat,  I  say. 

Her.  Nay,  in  a  ship,  a  ship  thou  shalt  soon  go,  ** 

With  or  without  thy  will, 

By  force,  I  say,  by  force  • 

(1)  The  words  recall  the  vision  of  the  "seven  well-favoured  kine  and 
fat-fleshed,"  which  "  came  out  of  the  river,"  as  Pharaoh  dreamed, 
(Gen.  xli.  1,  2,)  and  which  were  associated  so  closely  with  the  fertility 
which  it  ordinarily  produced  through  the  whole  extent  of  the  valley  ol 
the  Nile. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  169 


Come,  come,  provoke  not  evils  terrible, 
Palling  by  these  my  hands. 
STBOPII.  EL 

CTior.  Ah  me  !  ah  me ! 
Would  thou  may'st  perish  with  no  hand  to  help, 

Crossing  the  sea's  wide  plain, 

In  wanderings  far  and  wide, 
Whore  Sarpedouian  sand-bank1  spreads  its  length, 

Driven  by  the  sweeping  blasts ! 

Her.  Sob  thou,  and  howl,  and  call  upon  the  Goda :     "* 
Thou  shalt  not  'scape  that  barque  from  2Egypt  come, 
Though  thou  should' st  pour  a  bitterer  strain  of  grief. 

A.VTISTROPH.  II. 

Clior.  Woe !  woe  !     Ah  woe  !  ah  woe, 
For  this  foul  wrong !     Thou  utterest  tearful  things ; 
Thou  art  too  bold  and  insolent  of  speech. 
*May  mighty  Nile  that  reared  thee  turn  away 

Thy  wanton  pride  and  lust 

That  we  behold  it  not ! 

Her.  I  bid  you  go  to  jron  ship  doublo-prowed,* 
With  all  your  speed.     Let  no  one  lag  behind ; 
But  little  shall  my  grasp  your  ringlets  spare. 

[/Seizes  on  the  leader  of  the  Suppliants 

STBOPH.  III. 

Clior.  Ah  me  !  my  father,  ah  ! 
The  help  of  holiest  statues  turns  to  woe ; 

He  leads  me  to  the  sea, 

With  motion  spider-like, 
Or  like  a  dream,  a  dark  and  dismal  dream, 

Ah  woe  !  ah  woe !  ah  woe ! 
0  mother  Earth  !  O  Earth  !  O  mother  mine  I 

Avert  that  cry  of  fear, 
O  Zeus,  thou  king !  0  sou  of  mother  Earth ! 

(1)  Two  dangerous  low  he.idlnnds  seem  to  have  been  known  by  this 
name,  one  on  the  coast  of  Kilikia,  the  other  on  that  of  the  Thrakian 
Chersonese. 

(2)  No  traces  of  ships  of  this  structure  are  found  in  Egyptian  art;  but, 
if  the  reading  be  right,  it  implies  the  existence  of  boats  of  some  kind,  Ml 
built  that  they  could  be  steered  from  either  end. 


THE    SVPPLIANTS. 


Her.  Nay,  I  fear  not  the  Gods  they  worship  here; 
They  did  not  rear  nor  lead  me  up  to  age.  •* 

AXTISTKOPH.  III. 

Chor.  Near  me  he  rages  now, 

•  •••••• 

That  biped  snake, 
And  like  a  viper  bites  me  by  the  foot. 

Oh,  \voe  is  me  !  woe  !  woe ! 
O  mother  Earth  !'  0  Earth  !  O  mother  mine  i 

Avert  that  cry  of  fear. 
0  Z:>us,  thou  king  !  O  son  of  mother  Earth. 

Her.  If  some  one  yield  not,  and  to  yon  ship  go, 
The  hand  that  tears  her  tunic  will  not  pity. 

STBOPH.  IV. 

Chor.  Ho!  rulers  of  the  State!  "• 

Ye  princes  !  I  am  seized. 

Her.  It  seems,  since  ye  are  slow  to  hear  my  words, 
That  I  shall  have  to  drag  you  by  the  hair. 

ANTISTROPH.  IV. 

Chor.  "We  are  undone,  undone  ! 
We  suffer,  prince,  unlooked-for  outrages. 

Her.  Full  many  princes,  heirs  of  great  JEgyptoa, 
Ye  soon  shall  see.    Take  courage  ;  ye  shall  have 
No  cause  to  speak  of  anarchy  as  there. 

Enter  KrxG  followed  by  his  Bodyguard. 

King.  Ho  there !    "What  dost  thou  ?  and  with  what 

intent 

Dost  thou  so  outrage  this  Pelasgic  land  ? 
Dost  think  thou  comest  to  a  town  of  women  ?  88C 

Too  haughty  thou,  a  stranger  'gainst  Hellenes, 
And,  sinning  much,  hast  nothing  done  aright. 

Her.  What  sin  against  the  ri«ht  have  I  then  done  ? 
King.  First,   thou  know'st    not    how  stranger-guest 
should  act. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


Her.  How  so  ?    When  I,  but  finding  what  I  lost  .   .  . 

Sing.  Whom  among  us  dost  thou  then  patrons  call  ? 

Her.  Hermes  the  Searcher,  chiefest  patron  mine.1 

King.  Thou,  Gods  invoking,  honourest  not  the  Gods. 

Her.  The  Gods  of  Neilos  are  the  Gods  I  worship. 

King.  Ours  then  are  nought,  if  I  thy  meaning  catch.  ** 

Her.  These  girls  I'll  lead,  if  no  one  rescues  them. 

King.  Lay  hand  on  them,  and  soon  thou'lt  pay  the 
cost. 

Her.  I  hear  a  word  in  no  wise  hospitable. 

King.  Who  rob  the  Gods  I  welcome  not  as  guests. 

Her.  I  then  will  tell  ^Egyptos'  children  this. 

King,  This  threat  is  all  unheeded  in  my  mind. 

Her.  But  that  I,  knowing  all,  may  speak  it  plain, 
(For  it  is  meet  a  herald  should  declare 
Each  matter  clearly,)  what  am  I  to  say  ? 
By  whom  have  I  been  robbed  of  that  fair  band 
Of  women  whom  I  claim  as  kindred  ?    Nay,  tw 

But  it  is  Ares  that  shall  try  this  cause, 
And  not  with  witnesses,  nor  money  down, 
Settling  the  matter,  but  there  first  must  fall 
Full  many  a  soldier,  and  of  many  a  life 
The  rending  in  convulsive  agony. 

King.  Why  should  I  tell  my  name  ?    In  time  thou'lt 

know  it, 

Thou  and  thy  fellow-travellers.     But  these  maidens, 
With  their  consent  and  free  choice  of  their  wills, 
Thou  muy'st  lead  off,  if  godly  speech  persuade  them: 
But  this  decree  our  city's  men  have  made 
With  one  consent,  that  we  to  force  yield  not 
This  company  of  women.     Here  the  nail  •" 

Is  driven  tight  home  to  keep  its  place  full  firm  ;  ' 

(1)  Hermes,  the  guardian  deity  of  heralds,  is  here  described  by  thf 
epithet,  which  marked  him  out  as  being  also  the  patron  of  detectives. 
Every  stranger  arriving  in  a  Greek  port  had  to  place  himself  under  a 
proxenoa  or  patron  of  some  kind.     The  herald,  having  no  proxenoa  among 
the  citizens,  appeals  to  his  patron  deity. 

(2)  The  words  refer  to  the  custom  of  nailing  decrees,  proclamations, 
treaties,  and  the  like,  engraved  on  metal  or  marblo,  upon  the  walls  01 
temples  or  public  buildings.    Traajs  of  the  same  idea  may  possibly  bt 


I7»  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


These  things  are  -written  not  on  tablets  only, 
[Nor  signed  and  sealed  in  folds  of  byblos-rolls ;"] 
Thou  hear'st  them  clearly  from  a  tongue  that  speaks 
With  full,  free  speech.     Away,  away,  I  say : 
And  with  all  speed  from  out  my  presence  haste. 
Her.  It  is  thy  will  then  a  rash  war  to  wage  : 
May  strength  and  victory  on  our  males  attend  I 

[Exit, 

King.  Nay,  thou  shalt  find  the  dwellers  of  this  land 
Are  also  males,  and  drink  not  draughts  of  ale  93* 

From  barley  brewed.l     \_To  the  Suppliants.']     But  ye,  and 

your  attendants, 

Take  courage,  go  within  the  fenced  city, 
Shut  in  behind  its  bulwark  deep  of  towers ; 
Tea,  many  houses  to  the  State  belong, 
And  I  a  palace  own  not  meanly  built, 
If  ye  prefer  to  live  with  many  others 
In  ease  and  plenty :  or  if  that  suits  better, 
Ye  may  inhabit  separate  abodes. 
Of  these  two  offers  that  which  pleases  best 
Choose  for  yourselves,  and  I  as  your  protector,  •*• 

And  all  our  townsmen,  will  defend  the  pledge 
Which  our  decree  has  given  you.     Why  wait'st  thou 
For  any  better  authorised  than  these  ? 

Chor.  For  these  thy  good  deeds  done  may'st  thou  in 

good, 
All  good,  abound,  great  chief  of  the  Pelasgi  I 

But  kindly  send  to  us 
Our  father  Danaos,  brave  and  true  of  heart, 

To  counsel  and  direct. 
His  must  the  first  decision  be  where  we 

Should  dwell,  and  where  to  find 
A  kindly  home ;  for  ready  is  each  one 

found  in  the  promise  to  Eliakim  that  he  shall  be  "  as  a  nail  in  a  tmn 
place,"  (Isa.  xxii.  23,)  in  the  thanksgiving  of  Ezra  that  God  had  given 
His  people  "  a  nail  in  his  holy  place,"  (Ezra  ix.  8.) 

(1)  As  before,  the  bread  of  the  Hellenes  was  praised  to  the  disparage- 
ment of  the  "  byblos  fruit "  of  Egypt,  so  here  their  wine  to  that  of  thl 
r,  which  was  the  ordinary  drink  of  the  lower  classes. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS.  I?3 

To  speak  his  word  of  blame  'gainst  foreigners.  "* 

But  may  all  good  be  ours  I 
And  so  with  fair  repute  and  speech  of  men, 

Free  from  all  taint  of  wrath, 
So  place  yourselves,  dear  handmaids,  in  the  land, 
As  Danaos  hath  for  each  of  us  assigned 

Dowry  of  handmaid  slaves, 
t 

Enter  DANAOS  followed  ly  Soldiers. 

Dan.  My  children,  to  the  Argives  ye  should  pray, 
And  sacrifice,  and  full  libations  pour, 
As  to  Olympian  Gods,  for  they  have  proved, 
With  one  consent,  deliverers :  and  they  heard 
*A11  that  I  did  towards  those  cousins  there,  •* 

*Those  lovers  hot  and  bitter.     And  they  gave 
To  me  as  followers  these  that  bear  the  spear, 
That  I  might  have  my  meed  of  honour  due, 
And  might  not  die  by  an  assassin's  hand 
A  death  unlooked-for,  and  thus  leave  the  land 
A  weight  of  guilt  perpetual :  and  'tis  fit 
That  one  who  meet  such  kindness  should  return, 
*From  his  heart's  depths,  a  nobler  gratitude ; 
And  add  ye  this  to  all  already  written, 
Tour  father's  many  maxims  of  true  wisdom, 
That  we,  though  strangers,  may  in  time  be  known ;      ** 
For  as  to  aliens  each  man's  tongue  is  apt 
For  evil,  and  spreads  slander  thoughtlessly ; 
But  ye,  I  charge  you,  see  ye  shame  me  not, 
With  this  your  life's  bloom  drawing  all  men's  eyes. 
The  goodly  vintage  is  full  hard  to  watch, 
All  men  and  beasts  make  fearful  havoc  of  it, 
Nay,  birds  that  fly,  and  creeping  things  of  earth; 
And  Kypris  offers  fruitage,  dropping  ripe, 
*As  prey  to  wandering  lust,  nor  lets  it  stay ; l 
And  on  the  goodly  comeliness  of  maidens  •*• 

(1)  The  -words  present  a  striking  parallelism  to  the  erotic  imagery  of 
the  Sony  «/  Soliraion :  "  Take  us  the  loxes,  the  little  foxes  that  spoil  OHf 
vuics,  for 'our  Tines  have  tender  grapes"  UL  lal. 


174  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 

Each  passer-by,  o'ercome  with  hot  desire, 

Darts  forth  the  amorous  arrows  of  the  eye. 

And  therefore  let  us  suffer  nought  of  this, 

Through  which  our  ship  has  ploughed  such  width  of  sea, 

Such  width  of  trouble  ;  neither  let  us  work 

Shame  to  ourselves,  and  pleasure  to  our  foes. 

This  two-fold  choice  of  home  is  open  tc  you : 

[Velasgos  offers  his,  the  city  theirs,] 

To  dwell  rent-free.     Pull  easy  terms  are  these : 

Only,  I  charge  you,  keep  your  father's  precepts, 

Prizing  as  more  than  life  your  chastity.  "• 

Chor.  May  the  high  Gods  that  on  Olympos  dwell 
Bless  us  in  all  things ;  but  for  this  our  vintage 
Be  of  good  cheer,  my  father;  for  unless 
The  counsels  of  the  Gods  work  strange  device, 
I  will  not  leave  my  spirit's  former  path. 

STEOPH.  I. 
Semi- Chor.  A.   Go  then  and  make  ye  glad  the  high 

Gods,  blessed  for  ever, 
Those  who  rule  our  towns,  and  those  who  watch  over  our 

city, 

And  they  who  dwell  by  the  stream  of  Erasinos  ancient.1 
Semi-CJior.  B.  And  ye,  companions  true, 

Take  up  your  strain  of  song.  M0° 

Let  praise  attend  this  city  of  Pelasgos ; 
Let  us  no  more  no  more  adore  the  mouths  of  Neilos 
With  these  our  hymns  of  praise ; 

ANTISTROPH.  I. 

Semi-Chor.  A.  Nay,  but  the  rivers  here  that  pour  calm 
streams  through  our  country,2 

(1)  The  Erasinos  -was  supposed  to  rise  in  Arcadia,  in  Mount  Stym- 
plmlos,  to  disappear  below  the  earth,  and  to  come  to  sight  again  in 
Arfjolis. 

(2)  In  this  final  choral  ode  of  the  Suppliants,  as  in  that  of  the  Seven 
against  Thel>e.8,  we  have  the  phenomenon  of  the  division  of  the  Chorus, 
hitherto  -united,  into  two  sections  of  divergent  thought  and  purpose. 
Semi-Chorus  A.  remains  steadfast  in  its  purpose  of  perpetual  virginity ; 
Semi-Chorus  B.  relents,  and  is  ready  to  accept  wedlock. 


THE    SUPPLIANTS. 


Parents  of  many  a  son,  making  glad  the  soil  of  out 

meadows, 
With  wide  flood  rolling  on,  in  full  and  abounding  rich- 

ness. 
Semi-Chor.  B.  And  Artemis  the  chaste, 

May  she  behold  our  band 
With  pity  ;  ne'er  be  marriage  rites  enforced 
On  us  by  Kythereia  :  those  who  hate  us, 
Let  that  ill  prize  be  theirs. 

i  STBOPH.  IL 

Semi-CTior.  A.  Not  that  our  kindly  strain  does  slight 

to  Kypris  immortal  ; 

For  she,  together  with  Hera,  as  nearest  to  Zeus  is  mighty, 
A  goddess  of  subtle  thoughts,  she  is  honoured  in  mys- 

teries solemn. 

Semi-Chor.  B.  Yea,  as  associates  too  with  that  their 

mother  beloved,  102° 

Are  fair  Desire  and  Suasion,1  whose  pleading  no  man  can 

gainsay, 

Yea,  to  sweet  Concord  too  Aphrodite's  power  is  entrusted, 
*And  the  whispering  paths  of  the  Loves. 

ANTISTBOPH.  II. 
Simi-Chor.  A.  Yet  am  I  sore  afraid  of  the  ship  that 

chases  us  wanderers, 

Of  terrible  sorrows,  and  wars  that  are  bloody  and  hateful; 

*Why  else  have  they  had  fair  gale  for  this  their  eager 

pursuing  ?  103° 

Semi-Chor.  D.  Whate'er  is  decreed  of  us,  I  know  that 

it  needs  must  happen  ; 

The  mighty  purpose  of  Zeus,  unfailing,  admits  no  trans- 
gression : 

(1)  The  two  names  were  closely  connected  in  the  local  worship  of 
Athens,  the  temples  of  Aphrodite  and  Peitho  (Suasion)  standing  at  the 
south-west  angle  of  the  Acropolis.  If  any  special  purpose  is  to  be 
traced  in  the  invocation,  we  may  see  it  in  the  poet's  desire  to  bring  out 
the  nobler,  more  ethical  side  of  Aphrodite's  attributes,  in  contrast 
with  the  growing  tendency  to  look  on  her  as  simply  the  patroness  el 
brutal  lust. 


i;6  THE    SUPPLIANTS. 

*May  this  fate  come  to  us,  as  to  many  women  before  us, 
*Fate  of  marriage  and  spouse  I 

STBOPH.  III. 

Scmi-Chor.  A.  Ah,  may  groat  Zeus  avert 
From  me  all  marriage  with  wEgyptos'  sous  I 
Semi-Cher.  B.  Nay,  all  will  work  for  good. 
Semi-Chor.  A.  Thou  glozest  that  which  will  no  glozing 
bear.  10" 

Semi-Chor.  B.    And  thou  know' at   not  what  future 
comes  to  us. 

ANTISTBOPH.  III. 

Semi-Chor.  A.  How  can  I  read  the  mind 
Of  mightiest  Zeus,  to  sight  all  fathomless  ? 
Semi-Chor.  B.  "Well-tempered  be  thy  speech! 
Semi-Chor.   A.    What  mood    of  calmness  wilt    thon 

school  me  in  ? 

Semi-Chor.  B.  Be  not  o'er-raah  in  what  concerns  the 
Gods. 

STBOPH.  IV. 

Semi-Chor.  A.  Nay,  may  our  great  king  Zeus  avert 

that  marriage 

With  husbands  whom  we  hate, 
E'en  He  who,  touching  her  with  healing  hand. 

Freed  lo  from  her  pain, 
Putting  an  end  from  all  her  wanderings, 

Working  with  kindly  force  1  IC* 

ANTISTBOPH.  V. 

Semi-Chor.  B.  And  may  He  give  the  victory  to  women! 

I  choose  the  better  part, 
Though  mixed  with  ill ;  and  that  the  trial  end 

Justly,  as  I  have  prayed, 
By  means  of  subtle  counsels  which  God  gives 

To  liberate  from  ills.1 

(1)  The  play,  as  acted,  formed  part  of  a  trilogy,  and  the  next  play,  th« 
Danaids,  probably  contained  the  sequel  of  tlie  story,  the  acceptance  by  th« 
Suppliants  of  tie  sons  of  .JEgyptos  in  marriage,  the  plot  of  Danaos  I'oi 
the  destruction  -if  the  bridegrooms  on  the  wedding-night,  and  the  execu- 
tion of  the  deed  of  blood  by  all  but  Hyperiunestra. 


ARGUMENT. 

Tin  years  had  passed  sines  Agamemnon,  got,  sf  Atreus,  king  of 
Mykenee,  had  led  the  Hellenes  to  Tro'ia  to  take  vengeance  on 
Alexandras  (also  known  as  Paris},  son  of  Priam.  For  Paris 
had  basely  wronged  Menelaos,  king  of  Sparta,  Agamemnon  s 
brother,  in  that,  being  received  by  him  as  a  guest,  he  enticed 
his  wife  Helena  to  leave  her  lord  and  go  with  him  to  Tro'ia. 
And  now  the  tenth  year  had  come,  and  Paris  was  slain,  and 
tlie  city  of  the  Tro'ians  was  taken  and  destroyed,  and  Aga- 
memnon and  tfo  Hellenes  were  on  their  way  homeward  with 
the  spoil  and  prisoners  they  had  taken.  Hut  meanwhile 
Clytccmnestra  tco,  Agamemnon's  queen,  had  been  unfaithful, 
and  had  taken  as  her  paramour  JEgisthos,  son  of  that  Thyestes 
whom  Atreus,  his  brotlier,  had  made  to  eat,  unknowing,  of  the 
Jlesh  of  his  own  children.  And  now,  partly  led  by  her  adul- 
terer, and  partly  seeking  to  avenge  the  death  of  her  daughter 
Jphigeneia,  whom  Agamemnon  had  sacrificed  to  appease  the 
wrath  of  Artemis,  and  partly  also  jealous  because  he  was 
bringing  back  Cassandra,  the  daughter  of  Priam,  as  his  con- 
cubine, she  plotted  with  AZgisthos  against  her  husband's  life. 
But  this  was  done  secretly,  and  she  stationed  a  guard  on  the 
roof  of  the  royal  palace  to  give  notice  when  he  saw  the  beacon  - 
fires,  by  which  Agamemnon  had  promised  that  he  would  send 
tidings  that  Tro'ia  was  taken.* 

•  The  unfaithfulness  of  Clytwmnestra  and  the  murder  of  Agamem- 
non had  entered  into  the  Homeric  cycle  of  the  legends  of  the  bouse 
of  Atreus.  In  the  Odyssey,  however,  ^Egisthos  is  the  chief  agent  in 
this  crime,  (Odyss-  iii-  264,  iv.  91,  532,  xi.  409);  and  the  manner  of  it 
differs  from  that  which  jEschylos  has  adopted.  Clytwmnestra  first 
appears  as  slaying  both  her  husband  and  Cassandra  in  Pindar  (Pytk 


persona. 

Watchman. 

Chorus  of  Argive  Elder*. 

CLYT^MNESTRA. 

Herald,  (TALTHYBIOt.) 

AGAMEMNON. 

CASSAKBKA. 

JEGISTHOS. 


AGAMEMNON. 


SCENE. — Argos.  The.  Palace  of  AGAMEMNON  ;  statues 
of  the  Oods  in  front.  Watchman  on  the  roof.  Time, 
night. 

Watchman.  I  ask  the  Gods  a  respite  from  these  toils, 
This  keeping  at  my  post  the  whole  year  round, 
Wherein,  upon  the  Atreidse's  roof  reclined, 
Like  dog,  upon  my  elbow,  I  have  learnt 
To  know  night's  goodly  company  of  stars, 
And  those  bright  lords  that  deck  the  firmament, 
And  winter  bring  to  men,  and  harvest-tide ; 
[The  rising  and  the  setting  of  the  stars.] 
And  now  I  watch  for  sign  of  beacon-torch, 
The  flash  of  fire  that  bringeth  news  from  Tro'ia, 
And  tidings  of  its  capture.     So  prevails 
*A  woman's  manly-purposed,  hoping  heart ;  M 

And  when  I  keep  my  bed  of  little  ease, 
Drenched  with  the  dew,  un visited  by  dreams, 
(For  fear,  instead  of  sleep,  my  comrade  is, 
So  that  in  sound  sleep  ne'er  I  close  mine  eyes,) 
And  when  I  think  to  sing  a  tune,  or  hum, 
(My  medicine  of  song  to  ward  off  sleep,) 
Then  weep  I,  wailing  for  this  house's  chance, 
No  more,  as  erst,  right  well  administered. 
Well !  may  I  now  find  blest  release  from  toils,  *° 

When  fire  from  out  the  dark  brings  tidings  good. 

[Pauses,  then  springs  up  suddenly,  seeing  a  light 

in  the  distance. 

Hail  I  thou  torch-bearer  of  the  night,  that  shedd'st 
Light  as  of  morn,  and  bringest  full  array 


182  AGAMEMNON. 


Of  many  choral  bands  in  Argos  met, 

[Because  of  this  success.     Hurrah  !  hurrah  I 

So  clearly  tell  I  Agamemnon's  queen, 

With  all  speed  rising  from  her  couch  to  raise 

Shrill  cry  of  triumph  o'er  this  beacon-fire 

Throughout  the  house,  since  Ilion's  citadel 

]s  taken,  as  full  well  that  bright  blaxe  shows.  " 

I,  for  my  part,  will  dance  my  prelude  now ; 

[Leaps  and  dances. 

For  I  shall  score  my  lord's  new  turn  of  luck, 
This  beacon-blaze  my  throw  of  triple  six.1 
Well,  would  that  I  with  this  mine  hand  may  touch. 
The  dear  hand  of  our  king  when  he  comes  home  I 
As  to  all  else,  the  word  is  "  Hush  !"    An  ox  J 
Rests  on  my  tongue ;  had  the  house  a  voice 
'Twould  tell  too  clear  a  tale.     I'm  fain  to  speak 
To  those  who  know,  forget  with  those  who  know  not. 

[Exit. 
Enter  Chorus  of  twelve  Argive  elders,   chanting   as   they 

march  to  take  up  their  position  in  the  centre  of  the  stage. 

A  procession  of  women  learntg  torches  is  seen  in  the 

distance. 

Lo !  the  tenth  year  now  is  passing  * 

Since,  of  Priam  great  avengers, 
Menelaos,  Agamemnon, 

(1)  The  form  of  gambling1  from  which  the  phrase  is  taken,  had  clearly 
become  common  in  Attica  among  the  class  to  which  the  watchman  was 
w  r  posed  to  belong,  and  had  given  rise  to  proverbial  phrases  like  that  in 
tin  text     The  Greeks  themselves  supposed  it  to  have  been  invented  by 
the  Lydibng,  (Herod,  i.  94),  or  I'alamedes,  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  tale  of 
Truia,  but  it  enters  also  into  Egyptian  legends  (Herod,  ii.  12-2.)  and  it» 
prevalence  from  remote  antiquity  in  thefaither  East,  as  in  the  Indian 
story  of  Nala  and  Damaynnti,  makes  it  probable  that  it  originated  there. 
The  game  was  commonly  played,  as  the  phrase  shows,  with  three  dice,  the 
highest  throw  being  that  which  gave  three  sixes.    JKschylos.  it  may  bo 
noted,  appears  in  a   lost  drama,  which  bore  the  title  of  Paiameiles,  to 
have  brought  the  game  itself  into  his  plot.    It  is  referred  to,  as  invented 
by  that  hero,  in  a  fragment  of  Sophocles,  (f'r.  380,)  and  again  in  the 
proverb,— 

"  The  dice  of  Zeus  have  ever  lucky  throws."— (Fr.  763.) 

(2)  Here,  also,  the  watchman  takes  up  another  common  proverbial 
phrase,    belonging  to  the  same  group  as  that  of  "  kicking  p.gainst  the 
pricks  "  in  v.  1624.    He  has  his  reasons  for  silence,  weighty  as  would  b* 
the  tread  of  an  ex  to  close  his  lips. 


AGAMEUNOK. 


Double-throned  and  double-sceptred, 

Power  from  sovran  Zeus  deriving — 

Mighty  pair  of  the  Atreidse — 

Raised  a  fleet  of  thousand  vessels 

Of  the  Argives  from  our  country, 

Potent  helpers  in  their  warfare, 

Shouting  cry  of  Ares  fiercely ; 

E'en  as  vultures  shriek  who  hover, 

"Wheeling,  whirling  o'er  their  eyrie, 

In  wild  sorrow  for  their  nestlings, 

With  their  oars  of  stout  wings  rowing, 

Having  lost  the  toil  that  hound  them 

To  their  callow  fledglings'  couches. 

But  on  high  One, — or  Apollo, 

Zeus,  or  Pan, — the  shrill  cry  hearing, 

Cry  of  birds  that  are  his  clients,1 

Sendeth  forth  on  men  transgressing, 

Erinnys,  slow  but  sure  avenger ; 

So  against  young  Alexandras  3 

Atreus'  sons  the  great  King  sendeth, 

Zeus,  of  host  and  guest  protector : 

He,  for  bride  with  many  a  lover, 

Will  to  Danai  give  and  Troians 

Many  conflicts,  men's  limbs  straining, 

When  the  knee  in  dust  is  crouching, 

And  the  spear-shai't  in  the  onset 

Of  the  battle  snaps  asunder. 

But  as  things  are  now,  so  are  they, 

So,  as  destined,  shall  the  end  be. 

Nor  by  tears,  nor  yet  libations 

Shall  he  soothe  the  wrath  unbending 

Caused  by  sacred  rites  left  fireless.*  " 

(1)  The  rultures  stand,  i.e.,  to  the  rnlers  of  Heaven,  in  the  iame  rela- 
tion as  the  foreign  sojourners  in  Athens,  the  Metoeca,  did  to  the  citizen* 
under  whose  protection  they  placed  themselves. 

(2)  Alexandros,  the  other  name  of  Paris,  the  sedncer  of  Helen. 

(3)  The  words,  perhaps,  refer  to  the  grief  of  Menelaos,  as  leading  him 
to  neglect  the  wonted  sacrifices  to  Zeus,  but  it  seems  better  to  see  in 
them  a  reference  to  the  sin  of  Paris.     He,  at  least,  who  had  carried  off 
his  host's  wile,  had  not  oileied  acceptable  sacrifices,  had  neglected  aiJ 


184  AGAMEMNON. 


We,  with  old  frame  little  honoured, 
Left  behind  that  host  are  staying, 
Besting  strength  that  equals  childhood*! 
On  our  staff :  for  in  the  bosom 
*0f  the  boy,  life's  young  sap  rushing, 
Is  of  old  age  but  the  equal ; 
Ares  not  as  yet  is  found  there  : 
And  the  man  in  age  exceeding, 
"When  the  leaf  is  sere  and  withered, 
Goes  with  thi-ee  feet  on  his  journey ;  *  " 

Not  more  Ares-like  than  boyhood, 
Like  a  day-seen  dream  ho  wanders. 
[Enter  CLYMEMXESTRA,  followed  by  the  procession 

of  torch-bearers. 

Thou,  of  Tyndareus  the  daughter, 
Queen  of  Argos,  Clytsemnestra, 
"What  has  happened  ?  what  news  cometh  ? 
What  perceiving ,  on  what  tidings 
Leaning,  dost  thou  put  in  motion 
All  this  solemn,  great  procession  P 
Of  the  Gods  who  guard  the  city, 
Those  above  and  those  beneath  us, 
Of  the  heaven,  and  of  the  market,  * 

Lo !  with  thy  gifts  blaze  the  altars ; 
And  through  all  the  expanse  of  Heaven, 
Here  and  there,  the  torch-fire  rises, 
With  the  flowing,  pure  persuasion 
Of  the  holy  unguent  nourished, 
*And  the  chrism  rich  and  kingly 
From  the  treasure-store's  recesses. 
Telling  what  of  this  thou  canst  tell, 
What  is  right  for  thee  to  utter, 
Be  a  healer  of  my  trouble, 


•aeriflcea  to  Zens  Xcnios,  the  God  of  host  and  p-upnt.  The  allusion  to  th» 
Bacrinee  of  Iphigeneia,  which  some  (Donaldson  and  Paley)  have  found 
b«re,  and  the  wrath  of  Clytremnestra,  which  Agaraemnuu  will  fail  to 
toot  he,  seems  more  far-fetched. 

(1)  An  allusion,  such  as  the  audience  would  catch  and  delipht  in,  to  the 
Well-known  enigma  of  the  Sphinx.    Sue  Sophocles,  ('1  raiu.,)  p.  L 


AGAMEMNON.  185 


Trouble  now  my  soul  disturbing,  ** 

*  While  anon  fond  hope  displaying 
Sacrificial  signs  propitious, 
"Wards  off  care  that  no  rest  knoweth, 
Sorrow  mind  and  heart  corroding. 
£  The  Chorus,  tuking  their  places  round  the  central 
thymele,  begin  their  song.1 

STEOPETB. 
Able  am  I  to  utter,  setting  forth 

The  might  from  omens  sprang 
*What  met  the  heroes  as  they  journeyed  on, 

(For  still,  by  God's  great  gift, 

My  age,  yet  linked  with  strength, 

*Breathes  suasive  power  of  song,) 
How  the  Achseans'  twin-throned  majesty, 
Accordant  rulers  of  the  youth  of  Hellas,  *** 

With  spear  and  vengeful  hand, 

Were  sent  by  fierce,  strong  bird  'gainst  Teucrian  shore, 
Kings  of  the  birds  to  kings  of  ships  appearing, 

One  black,  with  white  tail  one, 
Near  to  the  palace,  on  the  spear-hand  side, 

On  station  seen  of  all, 
A  pregnant  hare  devouring  with  her  young, 

Robbed  of  all  runs  to  come : 


(I]  The  Chorus,  though  too  old  to  take  part  in  the  expedition,  are  yet 
able  to  tell  both  of  what  passed  as  the  expedition  started,  and  of  tha 
terrible  fulfilment  of  the  omens  which  they  had  seen.  The  two  eagles  are, 
of  course,  in  the  symbolism  of  prophecy,  the  two  chieftains,  Menelaos 
and  Agamemnon.  The  "white  feathers"  of  the  one  may  point  to  the 
less  heroic  character  of  Menelaos :  so,  in  v.  123,  they  are  of  "  diverse 
mood."  The  hare  whom  they  devour  is,  in  the  first  instance,  Trola,  and 
so  far  the  omen  is  good,  portending  the  success  of  the  expedition ;  but, 
as  Artemis  hates  the  fierceness  of  the  eagles,  so  there  is,  in  the  eyes  of 
the  seer,  a  dark  token  of  danger  from  her  wrath  against  the  Atreidse. 
Either  their  victory  will  be  sullied  by  cruelty  which  will  bring  down  ven- 
geance, or  else  there  is  some  secret  sin  in  the  past  which  must  be  atoned 
for  by  a  terrible  sacrifice.  In  the  legend  followed  by  Sophocles,  (E/ectr. 
566,)  Agamemnon  had  offended  Artemis  by  slaying  a  doe  sacred  to  her,  aa 
he  was  hunting.  In  the  manifold  meanings  of  such  omens  there  is, 
probably,  a  latent  suggestion  of  the  sacrifice  of  Iphigeneia  by  the  two 
chieftnins,  though  this  was  nt  the  time  hidden  from  the  sper.  The  fact 
that  they  are  »eeu  on  Uie  right,  uot  ou  the  lull  hand,  was  itself  ominous 
of  good. 


186  AGAMEMNON. 


Wail  as  for  Linos,  wail,  -wail  bitterly, 

And  yet  may  good  prevail ! l  ia* 

AjmSTBOPHJS. 

And  the  -wise  prophet  of  the  avny  seeing* 

The  brave  Atreidso  twain 
Of  diverse  mood,  knew  those  that  tore  the  hare, 

And  those  that  led  the  host ; 

And  thus  divining  spake  : 

"  One  day  this  armament 
Shall  Priam's  city  sack,  and  all  the  herds 
Owned  by  the  people,  countless,  by  the  towers, 

Fate  shall  with  force  lay  low. 

Only  take  heed  lest  any  wrath  of  Gods  *3° 

Blunt  the  great  curb  of  Tro'ia  yet  encamped, 

Struck  down  before  its  time  ; 
For  Artemis  the  chaste  that  house  doth  hate, 

Her  father's  winged  hounds, 
Who  slay  the  mother  with  her  unborn  young, 

And  loathes  the  eagles'  feast. 
Wail  as  for  Linos,  wail,  wail  bitterly ; 

And  yet  may  good  prevail  1 

EPODB. 

"  *For  she,  the  fair  One,  though  so  kind  of  heart 
To  fresh-dropt  dew  from  mighty  lion's  womb,* 
And  young  that  suck  the  teats 

(1)  The  song  of  Linos,  originally  the  dirge  with  which  n\en  mourned 
for  the  death  of  Linos,  the  minstrel-son  of  Apollo  and  Uran»«,  brother  of 
Orpheus,  who  was  slain  by  Heracles,— a  type,  like  Thammuz  and  Adonis, 
of  life  prematurely  closed  and  bright  hopes  never  to  be  fulfilled, — had 
come  to  be  the  representative  of  all  songs  of  mourning.    So  Hesiod  (in 
Eustath.  on  Horn.  11.,  vii.  509)  speaks  of  the  name,  as  applied  to  all 
funeral  dirges  o\er  poets  and  minstrels.    So  Herodotos  (ii.  79)  compare* 
it,  as  the  type  of  this  kind  of  music  among  the  Greeks,  with  what  ha 
found  in  Egypt  connected  with  the  name  of  Maneros,  the  only  son  of  the 
first  king  ot  Egypt,  who  died  in  the  bloom  of  youth.    The  name  had, 
therefore,  as  definite  a  connotation  for  a  Greek  audience  as  the  words 
Miserere  or  Jubilate  would  have  for  us,  and  ought  not,  I  believe,  to  disap- 
pear from  the  translation. 

(2)  The  comparison  of  a  lion's  whelps  to  dew-drops,  bold  as  the  fignr* 
is,  has  something  in  it  analogous  to  that  with  which  we  are  more  familiar, 
describing  the  children,  or  the  army  of  a,  king,  as  the  "  dew  "  from  "tbt 
womb  of  the  uioruiug  "  (Pa.  ex.  3). 


AGAMEMNON. 


Of  all  that  roam  the  fields,  *** 

*Yet  prays  Him  bring  to  pass 

The  portents  of  those  birds, 
The  omens  good  yet  also  full  of  dread 

And  Paean  I  invoke 
As  Healer,  lest  she  on  the  Danai  send 

Delays  that  keep  the  ships 

Long  time  with  hostile  blasts, 
So  urging  on  a  new,  strange  sacrifice, 

Unblest,  uniVstivalled,1 
By  natural  growth  artificer  of  strife, 
Bearing  far  other  fruit  than  wife's  true  fear, 

.For  there  abideth  yet, 

Fearful,  recurring  still, 
Ruling  the  house,  full  subtle,  unforgetting, 

Vengeance  for  children  slain."  2  *" 

Such  things,  with  great  good  mingled,  Calchas  spake, 

In  voice  that  pierced  the  air, 
As  destined  by  the  birds  that  crossed  our  path 

To  this  our  kingly  house  : 

And  in  accord  with  them, 
Wail  as  for  Linos,  wail,  wail  bitterly; 

And  yet  may  good  prevail. 

STROPH.  I. 

O  Zeus — whate'er  He  be,* 
If  that  Name  please  Him  well, 
By  that  on  Him  I  call : 

(1)  The  sacrifice,  i.e.,  was  to  he  such  as  rould  not,  according  to  the  ooo- 
ternary  ritual,  form  a  feast  for  the  worshippers. 

(2)  The  dark  words  look  at  once  before  and  after,  back  to  the  murder 
of  the  sons  of  Thyestes,  forward,  though  of  this  the  seer  knew  not,  to  the 
sacrifice  of  Iphigeneia.    Clytwmnestra  is  the  embodiment  of  the  Ven- 
geance of  which  the  Chorus  speaks. 

(3)  As  a  part  of  the  drama  the  whole  passage  that  follows  is  an  asser- 
tion by  the  Chorus  that  in  this  their  trouble  they  will  turn  to  no  other 
God.  invoke  no  other  name,  but  that  of  the  Supreme  2eus.    But  it  can 
hardly  be  doubted  that  they  have  a  meaning  beyond  this,  and  are  tha 
utterance  by  the  poet  of  his  own  theology.    In  the  second  part  of  the 
Promethean  trilogy  (all  that  we  now  know  of  it)  he  had  represented  Zeus-oa 
ruling  in  the  might  of  despotic  sovereignty,  the   representative  of  a 
Power  which  men  could  not  resist,  but  also  could  not  love,  inflicting 
needle**  «uifej-iugs  ou  Uie  sous  of  iaeu.    Now  be  has  grown  wi»er.    l'i» 


l88  AGAMEMNON. 


Weighing  all  other  names  I  fail  to  guess 
Aught  else  but  Zeus,  if  I  would  cast  aside, 

Clearly,  in  very  deed, 
From  off  my  soul  this  idle  weight  of  care.  ** 

ANTISTBOPH.  I. 

Nor  He  who  erst  was  great,1 

Pull  of  the  might  to  war, 

*  Avails  now ;  He  is  gone ; 
And  He  who  next  came  hath  departed  too, 
His  victor  meeting ;  but  if  one  to  Zeus, 

High  triumph-praise  should  sing, 
His  shall  be  all  the  wisdom  of  the  wise ; 

STBOPH.  II. 
Yea,  Zeus,  who  leadeth  men  in  wisdom's  way,  "* 

And  fixeth  fast  the  law, 

That  pain  is  gain  ; 
And  slowly  dropping  on  the  heart  in  sleep 

Comes  woe-recording  care, 

And  makes  the  unwilling  yield  to  wiser  thoughts : 
And  doubtless  this  too  comes  from  grace  of  Gods, 
*Seated  in  might  upon  their  awful  thrones. 

AKTISTEOPH.  II. 
And  then  of  those  Achaean  ships  the  chief,* 

The  elder,  blaming  not 

Or  seer  or  priest ; 

sovereignty  of  Zens  is  accepted  as  part  of  the  present  order  of  the  world  ; 
trust  in  Him  brines  peace  ;  the  pain  which  He  permits  is  the  one  only 
way  to  wisdom.  The  stress  laid  upon  the  name  of  Zeus  implies  a  wish  to 
cleave  to  the  religion  inherited  from,  the  older  Hellenes,  as  contrasted 
with  those  with  which  their  intercourse  with  the  East  had  made  the 
Athenians  familiar.  Like  the  voice  which  came  to  Epimenides,  as  he 
was  building  a  sanctuary  to  the  Muses,  bidding1  him  dedicate  it  not 
to  them  but  to  Zeus,  (Dio<r.  Laert.  i.  10,)  it  represents  a  faint  approxi- 
mation to  a  truer,  more  monotheistic  creed  than  that  of  the  popular 
mythology. 

( 1)  The  two  mighty  ones  who  have  passed  away  are  Uranos  and  Cronos, 
the  representatives  in  Greek  mythology  of  the  earlier  stages  of  the 
world's  history,  (1)  mere  material  creation,  (2)  an  ideal  period  of  har- 
mony, a  golden,  Saturnian  aue,  preceding  the  present  order  of  divine 
government  with  its  mingled  good  and  evil.    Comp.  Ifesiod.  Theogon,  459. 

(2)  The  Chorus  returns,  after  its  deeper  speculative  thought*,  to  it* 
interrupted  narrative. 


AGAMEMNON.  189 


But  tempered  to  tho  fate  that  on  him  smote.  ...          *• 

When  that  Achaean  host 

Were  vexed  with  adverse  winds  and  falling  stores, 
Still  kept  where  Chalkis  in  the  distance  lies, 
And  the  vexed  waves  in  Aulis  ebb  and  flow ; 

STIUJFH.  HI. 

And  breezes  from  the  Strymon  sweeping  down, 
Breeding  delays  and  hunger,  driving  forth 

Our  men  in  wandering  course, 

On  seas  without  a  port. 

Sparing  nor  ships,  nor  rope,  nor  sailing  gear, 
With  doubled  months  wore  down  the  Argive  host ;         *** 

And  when,  for  that  wild  storm, 
Of  one  more  charm  far  harder  for  our  chiefs 
The  prophet  told,  and  spake  of  Artemis,1 

In  tone  so  piercing  shrill, 
The  Atreidse  smote  their  staves  upon  the  ground, 

And  could  not  stay  their  tears. 

AXTISTROPH.  IIL 

And  then  the  old  king  lifted  up  his  voice, 
And  spake,  "  Great  woe  it  is  to  disobey; 

Great  too  to  slay  my  child,  •* 

The  pride  and  joy  of  home, 
Polluting  with  the  streams  of  maiden's  blood 
Her  father's  hands  upon  the  altar  steps. 

What  course  is  free  from  ill  ? 
How  lose  my  ships  and  fail  of  mine  allies  ? 
'Tis  meet  that  they  with  strong  desire  should  seek 

A  rite  the  winds  to  soothe, 
E'en  though  it  be  with  blood  of  maiden  pure ; 

May  all  end  well  at  last !  "  *• 

STBOPH.  HI. 

So  when  he  himself  had  harnessed 
To  the  yoke  of  Eate  unbending, 

(1)  The  seer  saw  his  augury  fulfilled.    WLcn  he  uttered  the  name  of 
Artemis  it  was  pregnant  with  all  the  woo  wiiich  be  had  breboded  at  th» 


190  AGAMEMNON. 


With  a  blast  of  strange,  new  feeling, 

Sweeping  o'er  his  heart  and  spirit, 

Aweless,  godless,  and  unholy, 

He  his  thoughts  and  purpose  altered 

To  full  measure  of  all  daring, 

(Still  base  counsel's  fatal  frenzy, 

Wretched  primal  source  of  evils, 

Gives  to  mortal  hearts  strange  boldness,) 

And  at  last  his  heart  ho  hardened 

His  own  child  to  slay  as  victim, 

Help  in  war  that  they  were  waging, 

To  avenge  a  woman's  frailty, 

Victim  for  the  good  ships'  safety. 

ANTISTHOPH.  in. 

All  her  prayers  and  eager  callings 
On  the  tender  name  of  Father, 
All  her  young  and  maiden  freshness, 
They  but  set  at  nought,  those  rulers, 
In  their  passion  for  the  battle. 
And  her  father  gave  commandment 
To  the  servants  of  the  Goddess, 
When  the  prayer  was  o'er,  to  lift  her, 
Like  a  kid,  above  the  altar, 
In  her  garments  wrapt,  face  downwards,—1 
Yea,  to  seize  with  all  their  courage, 
And  that  o'er  her  lips  of  beauty 
Should  be  set  a  watch  to  hinder 
Words  of  curse  against  the  houses, 
With  the  gag's  strength  silence-working.* 

STEOPH.  IV. 

And  she  upon  the  ground 
Pouring  rich  folds  of  veil  in  saffron  dyed, 
Cast  at  each  one  of  those  who  sacrificed 

A  piteous  glance  that  pierced, 

(1)  So  that  the  blood  may  fall  upon  the  altar,  as  the  knife  was  drawn 
across  the  throat. 

(2)  The  whole  passage  should  be  compared  with  the  magnificent  de» 
Bonptiwi  in  Lucretius  i.  U4-101. 


AGAMEMNON. 


Fair  as  a  pictured  form  ; l 

And  wishing, — all  in  vain,— 

To  speak  ;  for  oftentimes 
In  those  her  father's  hospitable  halls 
She  sang,  a  maiden  pure  with  chastest  song, 

*And  her  dear  father's  life 
That  poured  its  threefold  cup  of  praise  to  God,* 

Crowned  with  all  choicest  good, 

She  with  a  daughter's  love 

Was  wont  to  celebrate. 

ANTISTBOPH.  IV. 

"What  then  ensued  mine  eyes 

Saw  not,  nor  may  I  tell,  but  Calchas'  arts  *• 

Were  found  not  fruitless.     Justice  turns  the  scale 

For  those  to  whom  through  pain 

At  last  comes  wisdom's  gain. 

*13ut  for  our  future  fate, 

*Since  help  for  it  is  none, 
•Good-bye  to  it  before  it  comes,  and  this 
Has  the  same  end  as  wailing  premature ; 

For  with  to-morrow's  dawn 
Jt  will  come  clear ;  may  good  luck  crown  our  fate  I 

So  prays  the. one  true  guard, 

Nearest  and  dearest  found, 

Of  this  our  Apian  land.3 

{The  Chief  of  the  Chorus  turns  to  CLYTVEACNESTRA,  and 

her  train  of  liandmaida,  who  are  seen  approaching. 
Chor.  I  come,  0  Clytaemneetra,  honouring 

(1)  Beautiful  an  a  picture,  and  aa  motionless  and  silent  also.    The  art, 
young  as  it  was,  bad  already  reached  the  stage  when  it  supplied  to  the 
poet  an  ideal  standard  of  perfection.    Other  allusions  to  it  are  found  in 
W.  774, 1300. 

(2)  The  words  point  to  the  ritnal  of  Greek  feasts,  which  assigned  the 
first  libation  to  Zeus  and  the  Olympian  Gods,  the  second  to  the  Heroes, 
the  third  to  Zeus  in  his  special  character  as  Saviour  and  Preserver ;  the 
last  was  commonly  accompanied  by  a  peean,  hymn  of  praise.    The  life  of 
Agamemnon  is  described  as  one  which  had  good  cause  to  offer  many 
such  libations.    Iphigeneia  had  sung  many  such  preans. 

(3)  The  mythical  explanation  of  this  title  for  the  Argive  territory  is 
(bund  in  the  Suppl,  v.  256,  and  its  real  meaning  will  be  discussed  in  u  note 
on  that  poaaage. 


I9»  AGAMEMNON. 


Thy  majesty :  'tis  meet  to  pay  respect 

To  a  chief's  wife,  the  man's  throne  empty  left :  *° 

But  whether  thou  hast  heard  good  news,  or  else 

In  hopes  of  tidings  glad  dost  sacrifice, 

1  fain  would  hear,  yet  will  not  silence  blame. 

Clytcem.  May  Morning,  as  the  proverb  runs,  appear 
Bearing  glad  tidings  from  his  mother  Night ! ' 
Joy  thou  shalt  learn  beyond  thy  hope  to  hear ; 
For  Argives  now  have  taken  Priam's  city. 

Ckur.  What  ?     Thy  words  sound  so  strange  they  flit  by 
me. 

Clytcem.  The  Achseans    hold  Troi'a.      Speak    I  clear 
enough  ?  ati° 

Chor.  Joy  creeps  upon  me,  drawing  forth  my  tears. 

ClytcKm.  Of  loyal  heart  thine  eyes  give  token  true. 

Chor.  What  witness  sure  hast  thou  of  these  events  ? 

Clytcem.  Full  clear  (how  else  ?)  unless  the  God  deceive.* 

Chor.  Eeliest  thou  on  dreams  or  visions  seen  ? 

Clytcem.  I  place  no  trust  in  mind  weighed  down  with 
sleep.5 

Chor.  Hath  then  some  wingless  omen  charmed  thy 
•  soul?4 

Clytcem.  My  mind  thou  scorn'st,  as  though  'twere  but 
a  girl's. 

Chor.  What  time  has  passed  since  they  the  city  sacked  ? 

(1)  To  speak  of  Morning  as  the  child  of  Night  was,  we  may  well 
believe,  among1  the  earliest  parables  of  nature.    Ha  its  mythical  form  it 
appears  in  Hesiod.,  (Thengon.  123,)  but  its  traces  are  found  wherever,  as 
among  Hebrews,  Athenians,  Germans,  men   reckoned  by  nights  rather 
than  by  days,  and  spoke  of  "  the  evening  and  the  morning  "  rather  than 
of  "day  and  nipht." 

(2)  The  God  thought  of  is,  as  in  v.  272,  Hephsestos,  as  being  Lord  of 
the  Fire,  that  had  brought  the  tidings. 

(3)  It  is  not  without  significance  that  Clytmmnestra  scorns  the  channel 
Of  divine  instruction  of  which  the  Chorus  had  spoken  with  such  rever- 
ence.   The  dramatist  pu^s  into  her  mouth  the  language  of  those  who 
scoffed  at  the  notion  that  truth  might  come  to  the  soul  in  "  visions  of  the 
night,"  when  "  deep  sleep  falleth  upon  men."    So  Sophocles  puts  like 
thoughts  into  the  mouth  of  Jocasta,  ((Ed.  King,  w.  709,  858.) 

(4)  Omens  came  from  the  flk'ht  of  birds.    An  omen  which  was  not 
trustworthy,  or  belonged  to  some  lower  form  of  divination,  might  there- 
fore be  spoken  of  as  "wingless."    But  the  word  may  possibly  be  inten- 
sive, not  negative,  "  swU't-wiugf  d,"  unU  then  refer  genericilly  to  that 
form  of  divination. 


AGAMEMNON.  193 


Clytcem.  This  very  ni^ht,  the  mother  of  this  morn.     r* 
Chor-  What  herald  could  arrive  with  speed  like  this  ? 
Clytcem,  Hephsostos  flashing  forth  bright  flames  from 

Ida: 

Beacon  tc  beacon  from  that  courier-fire 
Sent  on  its  tidings ;  Ida  to  the  rook l 
Hermsean  named,  in  Lemnos :  from  the  isle 
The  height  of  Athos,  dear  to  Zeus,  received 
A  third  great  torch  of  tlame,  and  lifted  up, 
So  as  on  high  to  skim  the  broad  sea's  back, 
The  stalwart  fire  rejoicing  went  its  way  ; 
The  pine-wood,  like  a  sun,  sent  forth  its  light 
Of  golden  radiance  to  Makistos'  watch ;  *• 

And  he,  with  no  delay,  nor  unawares 
Conquered  by  sleep,  performed  his  courier's  part : 
Far  off  the  torch-light,  to  Euripos'  straits 
Advancing,  tells  it  to  Messapion's  guards: 
They,  in  their  turn,  lit  up  and  passed  it  on, 
Kindling  a  pile  of  dry  and  aged  heath. 
Still  strong  and  fresh  the  torch,  not  yet  grown  dim, 
Leaping  across  Asopos'  plain  in  guise 
Like  a  bright  moon,  towards  Kithooron's  rock, 
Roused  the  next  station  of  the  courier  flame.  M0 

And  that  far-travelled  light  the  sentries  there 
Refused  not,  burning  more  than  all  yet  named : 
And  then  the  light  swooped  o'er  Gorgopis'  lake, 
And  passing  on  to  ^Egiplanctos'  mount, 
Bade  the  bright  fire's  due  order  tarry  not ; 

(I)  The  description  that  follows,  over  and  above  its  general  interest, 
had,  probably,  for  an  Athenian  audience,  that  of  representing  the  actual 
succession  of  beacon-stations,  by  which  they,  in  the  course  of  the  wars 
under  Pericles,  had  actually  received  intelligence  from  the  coasts  of  Asia. 
A  glance  at  the  map  will  show  the  fitness  of  the  places  named— Ida, 
Lemnos,  Athos,  Makistos,  (a  mountain  in  Kui  O3a,)  Mexsapion,  (on  the 
coast  of  BcEotw,)  over  the  plains  of  the  Asopoa  to  Kithteron,  in  the  souti 
of  the  same  province,  then  over  Gorgopis,  a  bay  of  the  Corinthian  Gulf, 
to  JKgipbuictos  in  Megaris,  then  across  to  a  headland  overlooking  the 
Saronic  Gulf,  to  the  Araehnsean  hill  in  Argolia.  The  word  "  c-iHcier-flre  " 
connects  itself  also  with  the  system  ol  posts  or  messengers,  which  the 
Persian  kings  seem  to  have  been  the  first  to  organise,  and  which  im- 
pressed the  minds  both  of  Hebrews  (Esth.  viii.  14)  and  Greeks  (Herod, 
viii.  98)  by  their  regular  transmission  of  the  king's  edicts,  or  of  special 
news. 


194  .  AGAMEMNON. 


And  they,  enkindling  "boundless  store,  send  oa 
A  mighty  beard  of  flame,  and  then  it  passed 
The  headland  e'en  that  looks  on  Saron's  gulf, 
Still  blazing.     On  it  swept,  until  it  came 
To  Arachnoean  heights,  the  watch-tower  nearj 
Then  here  on  tho  Atreidso's  roof  it  swoops, 
This  light,  of  Ida's  fire  no  doubtful  heir. 
Such  is  the  ord(-r  of  my  torch-race  games ; 
One  from  another  taking  up  the  course,1 
But  here  the  winner  is  both  first  and  last ; 
And  this  sure  proof  and  token  now  I  tell  thee, 
Seeing  that  my  lord  hath  sent  it  me  from  Troi'a. 

Chor.  I  to  the  Gods,  O  Queen,  will  pray  hereafter, 
But  fain  would  I  hear  all  thy  tale  again, 
E'en  as  thou  tell'st,  and  satiate  my  wonder. 

Clytaj.m.  This  very  day  the  Achaeans  Troia  hold. 
I  trow  full  diverse  cry  pervades  the  town : 
Pour  in  the  same  vase  vinegar  and  oil, 
*Aud  you  would  call  them  enemies,  not  friends ; 
And  so  from  conquerors  and  from  captives  now 

(1)  Our  ignorance  of  the  details  of  the  LampadfpJioria,  or  "  torcb-r.ic* 
games,"  in  honour  of  the  fire-(iotl,  Prometheus,  mukes  the  allusion  to 
them  somewhat  obscure.  As  described  by  1'uusaiiias,  (I.  xxx.  2,)  the 
runners  started  with  lighted  torches  from  the  altar  of  Prometheus  in  the 
Academeia and  ran  towards  the  city.  The  first  who  reached  the  goal  wi.-h 
his  torch  still  burning  became  the  winner.  If  all  the  torches  were  extin- 
guished, then  all  were  losers.  As  so  described,  however,  there  is  no 
succession,  no  taking  the  torch  irom  one  and  passing  it  on  to  another, 
Lkc  that  described  here  and  in  the  weU-known  line  of  Lucretius,  (ii.  t6,) 

"  Et  quasi  cursores  vitai  lampada  tradunt." 
(And  they,  as  runners,  pass  the  torch  of  life.) 

On  the  other  hand,  there  are  descriptions  which  show  that  such  a  transfer 
was  the  chief  element  of  the  game.  This  is,  indeed,  implied  both  in  tins 
passage  and  in  the  comparison  between  the  game  and  the  Persian  courier- 
system  in  Herod,  viii.  i!8.  The  two  views  may  be  reconciled  by  supposing 
(1)  that  there  were  sets  of  runners,  vying  with  each  other  as  sunh,  rather 
than  individually,  or  (2)  that  a  runner  whose  speed  failed  him  though 
his  torch  kept  burning,  was  allowe-1  to  hand  it  on  to  another  who  w.<s 
more  likely  to  win  the  race,  but  whose  torch  was  out.  The  next  line 
seems  meant  to  indicate  where  the  comparison  failed.  In  the  torch-race 
which  ClytOMTiriestra  describes  there  had  been  no  contest.  One  and  the 
self-same  tire  (the  idea  of  succession  passing  into  that  of  continuity)  hiid 
started  and  had  reached  the  goal,  and  BO  had  won  the  prize.  An  alterna- 
tive rendering  would  be,  — 

"lie  wins  who  is  first  in,  though  starting  last." 


AGAMEMNON.  195 


The  cries  of  varied  fortune  one  may  hear. 

For  these,  low-fallen  on  the  carcases 

Of  husbands  and  of  brothers,  children  too 

By  aged  fathers,  mourn  their  dear  ones'  death, 

And  that  with  throats  that  are  no  longer  free.  ** 

And  those  the  hungry  toil  of  sleepless  guard, 

After  the  battle,  at  their  breakfast  sets; 

Not  billeted  in  order  fixed  and  clear, 

But  just  as  each  his  own  chance  fortune  grasps, 

They  in  the  captive  houses  of  the  Troi'ans 

Dwell,  freed  at  last  from  all  the  night's  chill  frosts, 

And  dews  of  heaven,  for  now,  poor  wretches,  they 

Will  sleep  all  night  without  the  sentry's  watch.; 

And  if  they  reverence  well  the  guardian  Gods 

Of  that  new-conquered  country,  and  their  shrines,          *•* 

Then  they,  the  captors,  will  not  captured  be. 

Ah' !  let  no  evil  lust  attack  the  host 

Conquered  by  greed,  to  plunder  what  they  ought  not : 

For  yet  they  need  return  in  safety  home, 

Doubling  the  goal  to  run  their  backward  race.1 

*But  should  the  host  come  sinning  'gainst  the  Gods, 

•Then  would  the  curse  of  those  that  perished 

Be  watchful,  e'en  though  no  quick  ill  might  fall. 

Such  thoughts  are  mine,  mere  woman  though  I  be. 

May  good  prevail  beyond  all  doubtful  chance  !  ** 

For  I  have  got  the  blessing  of  great  joy. 

Glior.  Thou,  lady,  kindly,  like  a  sage,  dost  speak, 
And  I,  on  hearing  thy  sure  evidence, 
Prepare  myself  to  give  the  Gods  due  thanks  ; 
For  they  have  wrought  full  meed  for  all  our  tofl. 

\Exit  OLYT^M.  with  her  train. 

O  Zeus  our  King !  O  Night  beloved, 

Mighty  winner  of  great  glories, 

"Who  upon  the  towers  of  Troia 

Casted'st  snaro  of  closest  meshes, 

(I)  The  complete  foot-race  was  always  to  the  column  which  marked  the 
end  of  the  course,  round  it,  and  back  again.  In  getting  to  Xroia,  there- 
fore, but  half  the  race  was  done. 


196  AGAMEMNON. 


So  that  none  full-grown  or  youthful  3S° 

Could  o'erleap  the  net  of  bondage, 

Woe  of  universal  capture ; — 

Zeus,  of  host  and  guest  protector, 

"Who  hath  brought  these  things,  I  worship ; 

He  long  since  on  Alexandros 

Stretched  his  bow  that  so  his  arrow 

Might  not  sweep  at  random,  missing. 

Or  beyond  the  stars  shoot  idly. 

STBOPH.  I. 

Yes,  one  may  say,  'tis  Zeus  whose  blow  they  feel ; 

This  one  may  clearly  trace: 

They  fared  as  He  decreed : 

Yea,  one  there  was  who  said,  S8° 

"  The  Gods  deign  not  to  care  for  mortal  men  * 
By  whom  the  grace  of  things  inviolable 

Is  trampled  under  foot." 

No  fear  of  God  had  he : 
*Now  is  it  to  the  children  manifest ' 

Of  those  who,  overbold, 

Breathed  rebel  War  beyond  the  bounds  of  Eight, 
Their  houses  overfilled  with  precious  store 

*  Above  the  golden  mean. 
*Ah !  let  our  life  be  free  from  all  that  hurts,  "* 

So  that  for  one  who  gains 

Wisdom  in  heart  and  soul, 

That  lot  may  be  enough. 

(1)  Dramatically  the  •words  refer  to  the  practical  impiety  of  evildoers 
like  Paris,  with,  perhaps,  a  half-latent  allusion  to  that  of  Clytaemnestra. 
lint  it  can  hardly  be  doubted  that  for  the  Athenian  audience  it  would 
have  a  more  special  significance,  as  a  protest  against  the  growing  scep- 
ticism, what  in  a  later  age  would  have  been  culled  the  Epicureanism,  of 
the  age  of  Pericles.    It  is  the  assertion  of  the  belief  of  ./Eschylos  in  the 
moral  government  of  the  world.    The  very  vagueness  of  the  singular, 
"One  there  was,"  would  lead  the  hearers  to  think  of  some  teacher  like 
Anaxagoras,  whom  they  suspected  of  Atheism. 

(2)  The  Chorus  sees  in  the  overthrow  of  TroTa,   an  instnnce  of  this 
righteous  retribution.    The  audience  were,  perhaps,  intended  to  thini 
•Jso  of  the  punishment  which  had  fallen  on  the  Persians  for  the  saeri 
tedious  acts  of  their  fathers.    The  "  things  inviolable'    are  the  sanctities 
of  the  ties  of  marriage  and  hospitality ,  both  of  which  Paris  had  set  at 
nought. 


AGAMEMNON.  197 


Since  still  there  is  no  bulwark  strong  in  wealth 

Against  destruction's  doom, 
For  one  who  in  the  pride  of  wantonness 
Spurns  the  great  altar  of  the  Eight  and  Just. 

AsnsTBOPH.  L 
TTim  woeful,  subtle  Impulse  urges  on, 

Eesistless  in  her  might, 

Ate's  far- scheming  child  : 

All  remedy  is  vain. 
It  is  not  hidden,  but  is  manifest, 
That  mischief  with  its  horrid  gleaming  light ;  ** 

And,  like  to  worthless  bronze,1 

By  friction  tried  and  tests, 
It  turns  to  tarnished  blackness  in  its  hue : 

Since,  boy-like,  he  pursues 
A  bird  upon  its  flight,  and  so  doth  bring 
Upon  his  city  shame  intolerable  : 

And  no  God  hears  his  prayer, 

But  bringeth  low  the  unjust, 

Who  deals  with  deeds  like  this. 

Thus  Paris  came  to  the  Atridao's  home,  *° 

And  stole  its  queen  away. 
And  so  left  brand  of  sshame  indelible 
Upon  the  board  where  host  and  guest  had  sat, 

STROPH.  IL 

She,  leaving  to  her  countrymen  at  home 
Wild  din  of  spear  and  shield  and  ships  of  war, 

And  bringing,  as  her  dower, 

To  Ilion  doom  of  death, 
Passed  very  swiftly  through  the  palace  gates, 

Daring  what  none  should  dare ; 

(1)  Here,  and  again  in  v.  612,  we  have  a  similitude  dmwn  from  the 
metallurgy  of  Greek  artists.  Good  bronze,  made  of  copper  and  tin,  takes 
the  green  rust  which  collectors  prize,  but  when  rubbed,  the  brightness 
reappears.  If  zinc  be  substituted  for  tin,  as  in  our  br;iss,  or  mixed 
largely  with  it,  the  surface  loses  its  polish,  oxidizes  and  becomes  black. 
It  i?.  liowever.  doubtful  whether  this  combination  of  metals  was  at  th« 
time  in  use,  and  the  words  may  simply  refer  to  different  degree*  of  excel- 
lence in  bronze  properly  so  called. 


IQ8  AGAMEMNON. 


And  many  a  wailing  cry 
They  raised,  the  minstrel  prophets  of  the  house, 

"  Woe  for  that  kingly  home ! 
Woe  for  that  kingly  home  and  for  its  chiefs  I 
Woe  for  the  marriage-bad  and  traces  left 

Of  wife  who  loved  her  lord  !  " 
*  There  stands  he  silent ;  foully  wronged  and  yet 

*Uttering  no  word  of  scorn,1 
*In  deepest  woe  perceiving  she  is  gone ; 

And  in  his  yearning  love 

For  one  beyond  the  sea, 
A  ghost  shall  seem  to  queen  it  o'er  the  house ; 

The  grace  of  sculptured  forms  a 

Is  loathed  by  her  lord, 
And  in  the  penury  of  life's  bright  eyes 

All  Aphrodite's  charm 

To  utter  wreck  has  gone. 

AXTISTBOPH.  H. 

And  phantom  shades  that  hover  round  in  dreams  <M 
Come  full  of  sorrow,  bringing  vain  delight ; 

For  va,in  it  is,  when  one 

Sees  seeming  shows  of  good, 
And  gliding  through  his  hands  the  dream  is  gone, 

After  a  moment's  space, 

On  wings  that  follow  still 
Upon  the  path  where  sleep  goes  to  and  fro. 

Such  are  the  woes  at  home 
Upon  the  altar  hearth,  and  worse  than  these. 

(1)  In  a  corrupt  passage  like  (his,  the  text  of  which  has  been  BO  vn- 
riously  restored  and  rendered,  it  may  be  well  to  give  at  least  one  alterna- 
tive version : 

"  There  stands  she  silent,  wi*h  no  honour  met, 

Nor  yet  wiih  words  of  scorn, 
Sweetest  to  see  ot  all  that  he  has  lost." 

The  words,  as  so  taken,  refer  to  the  vision  of  Helen,  described  in  th« 
lines  that  follow.  Another,  for  the  line  "  In  deepest  woe,"  &c.,  ... 
would  give, 

"Believing  not  he  sees  the  lost  one  there." 

(2)  The  art  of  Pheidias  had  already  made  it  natural  at  Athens  to  speok 
of  king's  as  decorating  their  palaces'with  the  life-size  busts  or  statuea  at 
those  they  loved. 


AGAMEM.VON.  194 


But  on  a  wider  scalo  for  those  who  went 

Prom.  Hollas'  ancient  shore, 
J  sore  distress  that  causeth  pain  of  heart 

Is  seen  in  every  house. 
Yea,  many  things  there  are  that  touch  the  quick; 

Por  those  whom  each  did  send 

He  knoweth  ;  but,  instead 
Of  living  men,  there  come  to  each  man's  home 

Punereal  xirns  alone, 

And  ashes  of  the  dead. 

STBOPH.  HI. 
For  Ares,  trafficking  for  golden  coin 

The  lifeless  shapes  of  men, 
And  in  the  rush  of  battle  holding  scales, 

Sends  now  from  Ilion 

Dust  from  the  funeral  pyre, 
A  burden  sore  to  loving  friends  at  home, 

And  bitterly  bewailed, 

Pilling  the  brazen  urn 
With  well-smoothed  ashes  in  the  place  of  men; 

And  with  high  praise  they  mourn 
This  hero  skilled  and  valiant  in  the  fight, 
And  that  who  in  the  battle  nobly  fell, 

All  for  another's  wife  : 
And  other  words  some  murmur  secretly ; 

And  jealous  discontent 
Against  the  Atreidae,  champions  in  the  suitt 

Creeps  on  all  stealthily ; 

And  some  around  the  wall, 
In  full  and  goodly  form  have  sepulture 

There  upon  Ilion's  soil, 
And  their  foes'  land  inters  its  conquerors. 

ANTISTKOPH.  TTT. 

And  so  the  murmurs  of  their  subjects  rise 

With  sullen  discontent, 
A.nd  do  the  dread  work  of  a  people's  curse  J 

And  now  my  boding  fear 


AGAMEMNON. 


Awaits  some  news  of  ill, 
As  yet  en  wrapt  in  blackness  of  the  night. 

Not  heedless  are  the  Gods 

Of  shcdders  of  much  blood, 
And  the  dark -robed  Erinnyes  in  due  time, 

By  adverse  chance  of  life,  ao 

Place  him  who  prospers  in  unrighteousness 
In  gloom  obscure  ;  and  once  among  the  unseen, 

There  is  DO  help  for  him : 
Fame  in  excess  is  but  a  perilous  thing; 

For  on  men's  quivering  eyes 
Is  hurled  by  Zeus  the  blinding  thunder-bolt, 

I  praise  the  good  success 

That  rouses  not  God's  wrath; 
Ne'er  be  it  mine  a  city  to  lay  waste,1 

Nor,  as  a  prisoner,  see 
My  life  wear  on  beneath  another's  power  I 

EPODK. 
And  now  at  bidding  of  the  courier  flame, 

The  herald  of  good  news, 

A  rumour  swift  spreads  through  the  city  streets,  *** 

But  who  knows  clearly  whether  it  be  true, 
Or  whether  God  has  mingled  lies  with  it? 
Who  is  so  childish  or  so  reft  of  sense, 

As  with  his  heart  a-glow 
At  that  fresh  uttered  message  of  the  flame, 
Then  to  wax  sad  at  changing  rumour's  sound  P 
It  suits  the  mood  that  sways  a  woman's  mind 
To  pour  thanksgiving  ere  the  truth  is  seen : 
Quickly,  with  rapid  steps,  too  credulous, 
The  limit  which  a  woman  sets  to  trust 

Advances  evermore ; 2 

And  with  swift  doom  of  death  m 

A  runour  spread  by  woman  perishes. 

(1)  Here  again  one  may  note  a  protest  against  the  aggressive  policy  of 
Pericles,  an  assertion  of  the  principle  that  a  nation  should  be  contest 
With  independence,  without  aiming  at  supremacy. 

(2)  Perhaps  passively,  "Soon  suffers  tree; assers." 


AGAMEMNON.  3OI 


[As  the  Chorus  ends,  a  Ilerald  is  seen  approach- 
ing, his  head  wreathed  with  dive.1 
Soon  wo  shall  know  the  sequence  of  the  torches 
Light-giving,  and  of  all  the  beacon-fires, 
If  they  be  true  ;  or  if,  as  'twere  a  dream. 
This  sweet  light  coming  hath  beguiled  our  minds. 
I  see  a  herald  coming  from  the  shore, 
With  olive  boughs  o'ershadowod,  and  the  dust,* 
Dry  sister-twin  of  mire,3  announces  this, 
That  neither  without  voice,  nor  kindling  blaze 
Of  wood  upon  the  mountains,  he  will  signal  ** 

With  smoke  from  fire,  but  either  he  will  come, 
With  clear  speech  bidding  us  rejoice,  or  else  .  .  .  \jpautes. 
The  word  opposed  to  this  I  much  mislike. 
Nay,  may  good  issue  good  beginnings  crown  I 
Who  for  our  city  utters  other  prayers, 
May  he  himself  his  soul's  great  error  reap  ! 

Herald.  Hail,  soil  of  this  my  Argive  fatherland. 
Now  in  the  light  of  the  tenth  year  I  reach  thee, 
Though  many  hopes  are  shattered,  gaining  one. 
For  never  did  I  think  in  Argive  land 
To  die,  and  share  the  tomb  that  most  I  craved.  "° 

Now  hail !  thou  land ;  and  hail !  thou  light  of  day; 
Zeus  our  great  ruler,  and  thou  Pythian  king, 
No  longer  darting  arrows  from  thy  bow.4 
Full  hostile  wast  thou  by  Scamandros'  banks , 
Now  be  thou  Saviour,  yea,  and  Healer  found, 
O  king  Apollo !  and  the  Gods  of  war, 

(1)  As  the  play  opens  on  the  morning  of  the  day  ..n  which  Trola  ww 
taken,  and  now  we  have  the  arrivals,  first,  of  the  herald,  and  then  ot 
Agamemnon,  after  the  capture  has  been  completed,  and  the  spoil  divided, 
and  the  fleet  escaped  a  storm,  an  interval  of  some  days  must  be  supposed 
between  the  two  parts  of  the  play,  the  imaginary  law  of  the  unities  not- 
withstanding. 

(2)  The   customary  adornment   of  heralds  who  brought  good  news. 
Comp.  Sophocles,   (Xd.  K.  v.  83.    The  custom  prevailed  for  many  een- 
taries.  and  is  recognised  by  Dante,  Purg.  ii.  70,  as  usual  in  his  time  in 
Italy. 

(3)  So  in  the  Seven  against  Thebet,  (v.  494,)  smoke  is  called  "  the  sister  of 
fire." 

(4)  A  prol>a.We  reference,  not  only  to  the  story,  but  to  the  actual  word* 
at  Homer,  Ii.  i.  45-62. 


2O2  AGAMEMNON. 


These  I  invoke  ;  my  patron  Ilermes  too, 

Dear  herald,  whom  all  heralds  reverence,— 

Those  heroes,  too,  that  sent  us,1 — graciously 

To  •welcome  back  the  host  that  war  has  spared.  ** 

Hail,  O  ye  royal  dwellings,  home  beloved! 

Ye  solemn  thrones,  and  Gods  who  face  the  sun  I3 

If  e'er  of  old,  with  cheerful  glances  now 

After  long  time  receive  our  king's  array. 

For  he  is  come,  in  darkness  bringing  light 

To  you  and  all,  our  monarch,  Agamemnon. 

Salute  him  with  all  grace  ;  for  so  'tis  meet. 

Since  he  hath  dug  up  Troi'a  with  the  spade 

Of  Zeus  the  Avenger,  and  the  plain  laid  waste  j 

Fallen  their  altars  and  the  shrines  of  Gods  ;  fu 

The  seed  of  all  the  land  is  rooted  out, 

This  yoke  of  bondage  casting  over  Troia, 

Our  chief,  the  elder  of  the  Atreidao,  comes, 

A  man  full  blest,  and  worthiest  of  high  honour 

Of  all  that  are.     For  neither  Paris'  self, 

Nor  his  accomplice  city  now  can  boast 

Their  deed  exceeds  its  punishment.     For  he, 

Found  guilty  on  the  charge  of  rape  and  theft,* 

Hath  lost  his  prize  and  brought  his  father's  house, 

With  lands  and  all,  to  waste  and  utter  wreck  ; 

And  Priam's  sons  have  double  forfeit  paid.*  •* 

(1)  Specially  the  Dioscuri,  Castor  and  Polydeukes. 

(2)  Such  a  position  (especially  in  the  case  of  Zens  or  Apollo)  was  com- 
mon in  the  temples  both  of  Greece  and  Rome,  and  had  a  very  obviniu 
signification.    As  the  pl^iy  was   performed,  the  actual  hour  of  the  day 
probably  coincided  wilh  that  required  by  the  dramatic  sequence  of  events, 
and  the  statues  of  the  Gods  were  so  placed  on  the  stage  as  to  catch  tha 
rays  of  the  morning  sun  when  the  herald  entered.     Hence  the  allusion 
to  the  bright  "  cheerful  glances  "  would  have  a  visible  aa  well  ae  ethical 
fitness. 

(3)  It  formed  part  of  the  guilt  of  Paris,  that,  besides  his  seduction  of 
Helena,  he  had  carried  otf  part  of  the  treasures  of  Menelaos. 

(4)  The  idea  of  a  payment  twofold  the  amount  of  the  wrong  done,  as  a 
complete  satisfaction  to  the  sufferer,  was  common  in  the  early  jurispru- 
dence both  of  Greeks  and  Hebrews,  (Kxod.  xxii.  4-7.)     In  some  cases  it 
was  even  more,  as  in  the  four  or  fivefold  restitution  of  Kxod.  xxii.  1.    In 
the  grand  opening  of  Isaiah's  message  of  glad  tidings  the  fact  that  Jeru- 
salem has  received  "  double  for  all  her  sins"  is  made  the  ground  on  tin 
strength  of  which  she  may  now  hope  for  pardon.    Comp.  also  lua,  Lxi,  7] 
Zeoh.ix.12. 


AGAMEMNON.  2OJ 


Chor.  Joy,  joy,  them  herald  of  the  Achaean  host  I 

Her.  All  joy  is  mine :  I  shrink  i'rom  death  no  more. 

Chor.  Did  love  for  this  thy  fatherland  so  try  thee  ? 

Her.  So  that  mine  eyes  weep  tears  for  very  joy. 

Chor.  Disease  full  sweet  then  this  ye  suffered  from  .  .  . 

Her.  How  so  ?     "When  taught,  I  shall  thy  meaning 
master. 

Chor.  Ye  longed  for  us  who  yearned  for  you  in  turn. 

Her.  Say'st  thou  this  land  its  yearning  host  yearned 
o'er  ? 

Chor.  Tea,  so  that  oft  I  proaned  in  gloom  of  heart. 

Her.  Whence  came  these  bodings  that  an  army  hates?  53° 

Chor.  Silence  I've  held  long  since  a  charm  for  ill. 

Her.  How,  when  your  lords  were  absent,  feared  ye  any  ? 

Chor.  To  use  thy  words,  death  now  would  welcome  be. 

Her.  Good  is  the  issue  ;  but  in  so  long  time 
Some  things,  one  well  might  say,  have  prospered  well, 
And  some  give  cause  for  murmurs.     Save  the  Gods, 
Who  free  from  sorrow  lives  out  all  his  life  ? 
For  should  I  tell  of  toils,  and  how  we  lodged 
Pull  hardly,  seldom  putting  in  to  shore,1 
And  then  with  couch  full  hard.  .  .  .  What  gave  us  not 
Good  cause  for  mourning  ?    What  ill  had  we  not  **° 

As  daily  portion  ?    And  what  passed  on  land, 
That  brought  yet  greater  hardship  :  for  our  beds 
Were  under  our  foes'  walls,  and  meadow  mists 
Prom  heaven  and  earth  still  left  us  wringing  wet, 
A  constant  mischief  to  our  garments,  making 
Our  hair  as  shaggy  as  the  beasts'.3    And  if 
One  spoke  of  winter  frosts  that  killed  the  birds, 
By  Ida's  snow-storms  made  intolerable,3 
Or  heat,  when  Ocoau  in  its  noontide  couch 

(1)  Perhaps— 

"  Full  hardly,  and  the  close  and  crowded  decks." 

(2)  So  stress  is  laid  upon  this  form  of  hardship,  as  rising  from  the 
climate  of  Tro'ia,  by  Sophocles,  Aias,  1206. 

(3)  One  may  conjecture  that  here  also,  as  with  the  passage  describing 
the  succession  of  beacon  fires,  (w.  281-314,)  the  description  would  have 
for  an  Athenian  audience  the  interest  of  recalling  personal  reminiscence* 
ut  bouie  recent  campaign  in  Thrake,  or  on  the  coasta  of  Asia. 


204  AGAMEMNON. 


Windless  reclined  and  slept  without  a  wave.  .  .  • 

I  Jut  why  lament  o'er  this  ?     Our  toil  is  past ;  ** 

Past  too  is  theirs  who  in  the  warfare  foil, 

So  that  no  care  have  they  to  rise  again. 

Why  should  I  count  the  number  of  the  dead, 

Or  he  that  lives  mourn  o'er  a  past  mischance  P 

To  change  and  chance  I  bid  a  long  Farewell : 

With  us,  the  remnant  of  the  Argive  host, 

Good  fortune  wins,  no  ills  as  counterpoise. 

So  it  is  meet  to  this  bright  sun  we  boast, 

Who  travel  homeward  over  land  and  sea  ; 

"  The  Argive  host  who  now  have  captured  Troi'a,  ** 

These  spoils  of  battle1  to  the  Gods  of  Hellas 

Hang  on  their  pegs,  enduring  prize  and  joy."  2 

Hearing  these  things  we  ought  to  bless  our  country 

And  our  commanders  ;  and  the  grace  of  Zeus 

That  wrought  this  shall  be  honoured.     My  tale's  told. 

Chor.  Thy  words  o'ercome  me,  and  I  say  not  nay ; 
To  learn  good  keeps  youth's  freshness  with  the  old. 
'Tis  meet  these  things  should  be  a  special  care 
To  Clytsemnestra  and  the  house,  and  yet 
That  they  should  make  me  sharer  in  their  joy. 

Enter  CLYTSEMNESTRA. 

Clytfem.  I  long  ago  for  gladness  raised  my  cry, 
When  the  first  fiery  courier  came  by  night, 
Telling  of  Tro'ia  taken  and  laid  waste  : 
And  then  one  girding  at  me  spake,  "Dost  think, 
Trusting  in  beacons,  Tro'ia  is  laid  waste  ? 
This  heart  elate  is  just  a  woman's  way." 
In  words  like  these  they  made  me  out  distraught ; 
Yet  still  I  sacrificed,  and  with  a  strain 

(1)  We  may,  perhaps,  think  of  the  herald,  as  he  speaks,  placing:  some 
representative  trophy  upon  the  pegs  on  the  pedestals  of  the  statue*  at 
the  great  Gods  of  Hellas,  whom  he  had  invoked  on  his  entranco. 
U)  Or, 

"  So  that  to  this  bright  morn  onr  sons  may  boast, 
As  they  o'er  land  and  ocean  take  1  heir  flight, 
'The  Argive  host  of  old,  who  c;ip<ured  Tro'ia, 
Thc«e  spoils  of  battle  to  the  Gods  <>f  Hollos, 
Hung  (in  their  pegs,  a  trophy  of  old  days.' " 


AGAMEMNON.  205 


Bhrill  as  a  woman's,  they,  now  here,  now  there, 

Throughout  the  city  hymns  of  blessing  raised 

In  shrines  of  Gods,  and  lulled  to  gentle  sleep 

The  fragrant  flame  that  on  the  incense  fed. 

And  now  why  need'st  thou  lengthen  out  thy  words  P 

I  from  the  king  himself  the  tale  shall  learn; 

And  that  I  show  all  zeal  to  welcome  back 

My  honoured  lord  on  his  return  (for  what 

Is  brighter  joy  for  wife  to  see  than  this, 

"When  God  has  brought  her  husband  back  from  war, 

To  open  wide  her  gates  ?)  tell  my  lord  this, 

"  To  come  with  all  his  speed,  the  city's  idol ; " 

And  "  may  he  find  a  faithful  wife  at  home, 

Such  as  he  left  her,  noble  watch-dog  still 

For  him,  and  hostile  to  his  enemies ; 

And  like  in  all  things  else,  who  has  not  broken 

One  seal  of  his  in  all  this  length  of  time."1 

No  pleasure  have  I  known,  nor  scandal  ill 

With  any  other  more  than  .  .  .  stains  on  bronze.* 

Such  is  my  vaunt,  and  being  full  of  truth, 

Not  shameful  for  a  noble  wife  to  speak.3  [Exit. 


(1)  The  husband,  on  his  departure,  sealed  up  hit  special  treasures.    It 
was  the  glory  of  the  faitMul  wife  or  the  trusty  steward  to  keep  these  seals 
unbroken. 

(2)  There  is  an  ambiguity,  possibly  an  intentional  one,  in  the  compa- 
rison which  Clytaemnestra  uses,      if  there  was  no  such  art  as  that  of 
"staining  bronze"  (or  copper)  known  at  the  time,  the  words  would  be  a 
natural  phrase  enough  to  describe  what  was  represented  as  an  impossi- 
bili  y.    Later  on  in  the  history  of  art,  however,  as  in  the  timepf  Plut-iroh, 
a  process  so  described  (perhaps  analogous  to  enamelling)  is  desciibed 
(I IK  I'yUt.  Orac  (  2)  as  common.    If  we  suppose  the  art  to  have  been  a 
mys  ery  known  to  the  few,  but  not  to  the  many,  in  the  time  of  jEschylos, 
then  the  words  would  have  for  the  hearers  the  point  of  a  dnMe  entendre. 
She  seems  to  the  masa  to  disclaim  what  yet,  to  those  in  the  secret   8h<» 
acknowledges 

Another  rendering  refers  "bronze"  to  the  "sword,"  and  makes  tha 
Btains  those  of  blood  ;  as  though  she  said,  "  I  am  as  guiltless  of  adultery 
as  of  mui  der,"  while  yet  she  knew  that  she  had  committed  the  one,  and 
meant  to  commit  the  other.  The  possibility  of  such  a  meaning  is  cer- 
1,iiuly  in  the  words,  and  with  a  sharp-witted  au<]if>nrp catching  at  uenigmns 
and  dark  sayings  may  have  added  to  their  suggestiveness.  The  ambi- 
guous comment  of  the  Chorus  shows  that  they  read,  as  between  the  lines, 
the  shameful  secret  which  they  knew,  but  of  which  the  Herald  was 
ignorant. 

(31  The  last,  two  lines  are  by  some  editors  assigned  to  the  Herald. 


S06  AGAMEMNON. 


Chor.  [to  Tltrald.']  She  hath  thus  spoken  in  thy  hear- 
ing now 

A  goodly  word  for  good  interpreters. 
But  tell  me,  herald,  toll  of  Monelaos,  ** 

If,  coming  home  again  in  safety  he 
Is  with  you,  the  dear  strength  of  this  our  land. 

Her.  I  cannot  make  report  of  false  good  news, 
So  that  my  friends  should  long  rejoice  in  it. 

Chor.  Ah  1   could'st  thou  good  news  speak,  and  also 

true ! 
These  things  asunder  are  not  well  concealed. 

Her.  The  chief  has  vanished  from  the  Achaean  host, 
He  and  his  ship.     I  speak  no  falsehood  here. 

Chor.  In  sight  of  all  when  he  from  Ilion  sailed  ? 
Or  did  a  storja's  wide  evil  part  him  from  you  ?  *** 

Her.  Like  skilful  archer  thou  hast  hit  tho  mark, 
And  in  few  words  hast  told  of  evil  long. 

Chor.  And  was  it  of  him  as  alive  or  dead 
The  whisper  of  the  other  sailors  ran  ? 

Her.  None  to  that  question  answer  clear  can  give, 
Save  the  Sun-God  who  feeds  the  life  of  earth. 

Chor.  How  say'st  thou  ?    Did  a  storm  come  on  our  fleet, 
And  do  its  work  through  anger  of  the  Gods? 

Her.  It  is  not  meet  a  day  of  tidings  good 
To  mar  with  evil  news.     Apart  for  each 
Is  special  worship.     But  when  courier  brings 
With  louring  face  the  ills  men  pray  against, 
And  tells  a  city  that  its  host  has  fallen, 
That  for  the  State  there  is  a  general  wound, 
That  many  a  man  from  many  a  home  is  driven, 
As  banned  by  double  scourge  that  Ares  loves, 
Woe  doubly-barbed,  Death's  two-horsed  chariot  this  •  *  . 
When  with  such  griefs  as  freight  a  herald  comes, 
'Tis  meet  to  chant  the  Erinnyes'  dolorous  song; 
But  for  glad  messenger  of  good  deeds  wrought 
That  bring  deliverance,  coming  to  a  town 
Rejoicing  in  its  triumph,  .  .  .  how  shall  I 
Blend  good  with  evil,  telling  of  a  storm 


AGAMEMNON.  2O7 


That  smote  the  Achaoans,  not  without  God's  wrath  ? 

For  they  a  compact  swore  who  erst  were  foes, 

Ocean  and  Fire,  and  their  pledges  gave, 

Wrecking  the  ill-starred  army  of  the  Argives ; 

And  in  the  night  rose  ill  of  raging  storm : 

For  Thrakian  tempests  shattered  all  the  ships, 

Each  on  the  other.     Some  thus  crashed  and  bruised, 

By  the  storm  stricken  and  the  surging  foam 

Of  wind-tost  waves,  soon  vanished  out  of  sight,  *** 

Whirled,  by  an  evil  pilot.     And  when  rose 

The  sun's  bright  orb,  behold,  the  .ZEgsean  sea 

Blossomed  with  wrecks  of  ships  and  dead  Achaeans. 

And  as  for  us  and  our  uninjured  ship, 

Surely  'twas  some  one  stole  or  begged  us  off, 

Some  God,  not  man,  presiding  at  the  helm ; 

And  on  our  ship  with  good  will  Fortune  sat, 

Giver  of  safety,  so  that  nor  in  haven 

Felt  we  the  breakers,  nor  on  rough  rock -beach 

Ran  we  aground.     But  when  we  bad  escaped  *" 

The  hell  of  waters,  then  in  clear,  bright  day, 

Not  trusting  in  our  fortune,  we  in  thought 

O'er  new  ills  brooded  of  our  host  destroyed, 

And  eke  most  roughly  handled.     And  if  still 

Breathe  any  of  them  they  report  of  us 

As  having  perished.     How  else  should  they  speak  ? 

And  we  in  our  turn  deem  that  they  are  so. 

God  send  good  ending  !     Look  you,  first  and  chief, 

For  Menelaos'  coming ;  and  indeed, 

If  any  sunbeam  know  of  him  alive 

Aud  well,  by  help  of  Zeus  who  has  not  willed  *** 

As  yet  to  blot  out  all  the  regal  race, 

Some  hope  there  is  that  he  '11  come  back  again. 

Know,  hearing  this,  that  thou  the  truth  hast  heard. 

[Exit  Herald. 

STKOPII.  I. 

Clior.  Who  was  it  named  her  with  such  wondrous  truth? 
(Could  it  be  One  unseen, 


JO8  AGAMEMNON. 


In  strange  prevision  of  her  destined  work, 

Guiding  the  tongue  through  chance  ?) 
Who  gave  that  war-wed,  strife-upstirring  one 
The  name  of  Helen,  ominous  of  ill  ?  * 

For  all  too  plainly  she 

Hath  been  to  men,  and  ships, 

And  towers,  as  doom  of  Hell. 
From  bower  of  gorgeous  curtains  forth  she  sailed 
With  breeze  of  Zephyr  Titan-born  and  strong  ;* 

And  hosts  of  many  men,    ' 

Hunters  that  bore  the  shield, 
Went  on  the  track  of  those  who  steered  their  boat 
Unseen  to  leafy  banks  of  Siinois, 

On  her  account  who  came, 
Dire  cause  of  strife  with  bloodshed  in  her  train. 

ANTISTBOPH.  L 
And  so  the  wrath  which  works  its  vengeance  out 

Dear  bride  to  Ilion  brought, 
(Ah,  all  too  truly  named ! )  exacting  still  * 

After  long  lapse  of  time 
The  penalty  of  foul  dishonour  done 
To  friendship's  board  and  Zeus,  of  host  and  guest 

The  God,  from  those  who  paid 

Their  loud-voiced  honour  then 

Unto  that  bridal  strain, 
That  hymeneal  chorus  which  to  chant 

(1)  It  need  hardly  be  said  that  it  is  as  difficult  to  render  a  parnnoma»fa 
of  this  kind  as  it  is  to  reproduce  those,  more  or  less  analogous,  which  we 
find  in  the  prophels  of  1he  Old  Testament,  (comp.  especially  Micah  i. ;) 
but  it  t-eems  better  to  substitute  something  which  approaches,  however 
imperfectly,  to  an  equivalent  than  to  obscure  the  reference  to  the  rcmen 
et  omen  by  abandoning  the  attempt  to  translate  it.     "Hell  of  men,  and 
hell  of  ships,  and  heu  of  towers,"  has  been  the  rendering  adopted  by 
many  previous  translators.    The  Greek  fondness  for  this  play  on  names  ia 
seen  in  Sophocles,  Aias,  v.  401. 

(2)  Zephyros,  Boreas,  and  the  other  great  winds  were  represented  in 
the  Ilieogmiy  of  Ilesiod  (v.  134)  as  the  offspring1  of  Astrieos  imd  Eos,  and 
Astreeus  was  a  Titan.    The  west  wind  was,  of  course,  favourable  to  Paris 
U  he  went  with  Helen  from  Greece  to  TroTa. 

(8)  Here  again  the  translator  has  to  meet  the  difficulty  of  a  pun.     Af 
»&  alternative  we  might  take  — 

"To  Ilion  brought,  well-named, 
A.  muxriage  marring  nil," 


AGAMEMNON.  209 


Fell  to  the  lot  of  all  the  bridegroom's  kin.1 

But  learning  other  song, 

Priam's  ancient  city  now  "^ 

Bewaileth  sore,  and  calls  on  Paris'  name, 
Wedded  in  fatal  wedlock  ;  all  the  time 

*  Enduring  tear-fraught  life 

*  For  all  the  blood  its  citizens  had  lost, 

STBOI-H.  IL 

So  once  a  lion's  cub, 

A  mischief  in  his  house, 

As  foster  child  one  reared,* 

While  btill  it  loved  the  teats ; 

In  life's  preluding  dawn 

Tame,  by  the  children  loved,  ** 

And  fondled  by  the  old,3 

Oft  in  his  arms  'twas  held, 

Like  infant  newly  born, 

With  eyes  that  brightened  to  the  hand  that  stroked, 
And  fawning  at  the  hest  of  hunger  keen. 

ANTISTBOPH.  n. 

But  when  full-grown,  it  showed 
The  nature  of  its  sires ; 
For  it  unbidden  made 
A  feast  in  recompense 
Of  all  their  fostering  care, 

*  By  banquet  of  slain  sheep ;  *** 
With  blood  the  house  was  stained, 

(1)  The  sons  of  Priam  are  thought  of  as  taking  part  in  the  celebration 
of  Helen's  marriage  with  Paris,  and  as,  therefore,  involving  themselves 
in  the  guilt  and  the  penalty  of  his  crime. 

(2)  Here,  too,  it  may  be  well  to  give  an  alternative  rendering — 

"  A  mischief  in  his  house, 

A  man  reared,  not  on  milk." 

Home-reared  lions  seem  to  have  been  common  as  pets,  both  among 
Greeks  and  Latins,  (Arist.,  Hist.  Anim.  is..  31 ;  Plutarch,  de  Coftib.  ira,  jj  14, 
p.  822,)  sometimes,  as  in  Martial's  Epigram,  ii.  25,  with  fatal  consequences. 
The  text  shows  the  practice  to  have  been  common  enough  in  the  time  of 
Pericles  to  supply  a  similitude. 

(3)  There  may,  possibly,  be  a  half  allusion  here  to  the  passage  in  the 
77iaJ,  (TV.  154-160,)  which  describes  the  fascination  which  the  beauty  oj 
Helen  exercised  on  the  Troi'an  elders. 

P 


HO  AGAMEMNON. 


A  curse  no  slaves  could  check, 

Great  mischief  murderous : 
By  God's  decree  a  priest  of  Ate  thus 
Was  reared,  aud  grew  within  the  man's  own  houee. 

STBOPH.  III. 

So  I  would  tfll  that  thus  to  Ilion  came 
Mood -as  of  calm  when  all  the  air  is  still, 
The  gentle  pride  and  joy  of  kingly  state, 

A  tender  glance  of  eye, 
The  full-blown  blossom  of  a  passionate  love, 

Thrilling  the  very  soul ; 

And  yet  she  turned  aside, 
And  wrought  a  bitter  end  of  marriage  feast, 

Coming  to  Priam's  race, 

111  sojourner,  ill  friend, 

Sent  by  great  Zeus,  the  God  of  host  and  guest— 
Erinnye,  for  whom  wives  weep  many  tears. 

AjmsTitorn.  HI. 

Theie  lives  an  old  saw,  framed  in  ancient  days,1 
In  memories  of  men,  that  high  estate 
Full-grown  brings  forth  its  young,  nor  childless  dies, 

But  that  from  good  success 
Springs  to  the  race  a  woe  insatiable. 

But  I,  apart  from  all, 

Hold  this  my  creed  alone : 
For  impious  act  it  is  that  offspring  breeds, 

Like  to  their  parent  stock  : 

For  still  in  every  house 
That  loves  the  right  their  late  for  evermore 
Rejoiceth  in  an  issue  fair  and  good. 

(1)  The  poet  becomes  a  prophet,  and  asserts  what  it  has  be*B  ffiven 
him  to  know  of  the  righteous  government  of  God.  The  dominant  creed 
of  Greece  at  the  lime  was,  that  the  Gods  were  envious  of  man's  pros- 
perity, that  this  alone,  apart  from  moral  evil,  was  enough  to  draw  nown 
their  wrath,  and  bring  a  curse  upon  the  prosperous  house.  So,  e.g., 
Amasis  tells  Polycrates  (Herod,  iii.  40)  that  the  unseen  Divinity  tlint 
rules  the  world  is  envious,  that  power  and  glory  are  inevitably  th« 
precursors  of  destruction.  Comp.  also  the  speech  of  Artabanos, 
(Herod,  vii.  10,  46.)  Ae-ainst  this,  in  the  tone  of  one  who  speaks  single* 
handed  Jbr  the  truth,  2£schylos,  through  the  Chorus,  eaters  Jus  protest. 


AGAMEMNON.  ill 


BTBOPH.  IV. 

But  Recklessness  of  old 
Is  wont  to  breed  another  Recklessness, 

Sporting  its  youth  in  human  miseries, 
Or  now,  or  then,  whene'er  the  fixed  hour  comes :  *** 

That  in  its  youth,  in  turn, 

Doth  full-flushed  Lusfc  beget, 
And  that  dread  demon-power  unconquerable, 

Daring  that  fears  not  God,— 
Two  curses  black  within  the  homes  of  men, 

Like  those  that  gendered  them. 

A:msTBOpH.  IV. 

But  Justice  shineth  bright 
In  dwellings  that  are  dark  and  dim  with  smoke, 

And  honours  life  law-ruled, 

While  gold-decked  homes  conjoined  with  hands  defiled 7* 
She  with  averted  eyes 
Hath  left,  and  draweth  near 
To  holier  things,  nor  worships  might  of  wealth, 

If  counterfeit  its  praise  ; 
But  still  directeth  all  the  course  of  things 
Towards  its  destined  goal. 

[AGAMEMNON  is  seen  approaching  in  hit  chariot, 
followed  by  another  chariot,  in  which  GAS- 
SANDRA  is  standing,  carrying   her  prophet's 
wand  in  her  hand,  and  wearing  fillets  round 
her  temples,  and  by  a  great  train  of  soldiers 
bearing  trophies.     As  they  come  on  the  *taye 
the  Chorus  sings  its  welcome. 
Come  then,  king,  thou  son  of  Atreua, 
Waster  of  the  towers  of  Troia, 
What  of  greeting  and  of  homage 
Shall  I  give,  nor  overshooting, 
Nor  due  need  of  honour  missing  P 
'  Men  there  are  who,  right  transgressing, 
Honour  semblance  more  than  being.  *** 

O'er  the  sufferer  all  are  ready 


212  AGAMEMNON. 


Wail  of  bitter  grief  to  utter, 

Though  the  biting  pang  of  sorrow 

Never  to  their  heart  approaches ; 

So  with  counterfeit  rejoicing 

Men  strain  faces  that  are  smileless  ; 

But  when  one  his  own  sheep  knoweth, 

Then  men's  eyes  cannot  deceive  him, 

When  they  deem  with  kindly  purpose,  "** 

And  with  fondness  weak  to  natter. 

Thou,  when  thou  did'st  lead  thine  army 

For  Helen's  sake — (I  will  not  hide  it)— 

Wast  to  me  as  one  whose  features 

Have  been  limned  by  unskilled  artist, 

Guiding  ill  the  helm  of  reason, 

Giving  men  to  death's  doom  sentenced 

*  Courage  which  their  will  rejected.1 

Now  nor  from  the  spirit's  surface, 

Nor  with  touch  of  thought  unfriendly, 

All  the  toil,  I  say,  is  welcome, 

If  men  bring  it  to  good  issue. 

And  thou  soon  shalt  know,  enquiring,  ** 

Him  who  rightly,  him  who  wrongly 

Of  thy  citizens  fulfilMh 

Task  of  office  for  the  city.8 

Agam.  First  Argos,  and  the  Gods  who  guard  the  land, 
'Tis  right  to  greet ;  to  them  in  part  I  owe 
This  my  return,  and  vengeance  that  I  took 
On  Priam's  city.     Not  on  hearsay  proof 
Judging  the  cause,  with  one  consent  the  Gods 
Cast  in  their  votes  into  the  urn  of  blood 
For  Ilion's  ruin  and  her  people's  death  ; 
*  I'  the  other  urn  Hope  touched  the  rim  alone,  *• 

(1)  Se.,  Agamemnon,  by  the  sacrifice  of  Iphig'eneia,  had  induced  hit 
troops  to  persevere  in  an  expedition  from  •which,  in  their  inmost  hearts, 
they  shrank  back  with  strong  dislike.    A  conjectural  reading  gives, 

"  By  the  sacrifice  he  offered 
Giving  death-doomed  men  false  boldness." 

(2)  The  tone  oi  ambiguous  irony  mingles,  it  will  be  seen,  even  her*, 
with  the  praises  of  the  Chorus. 


AGAMEMNON. 


Still  far  from  being  filled  full.1    And  even  yet 
The  captured  city  by  its  .smoke  is  seen, 

*  The  incense  clouds  of  Ate  live  on  still ; 
And,  in  the  act  of  dying  with  its  prey, 

From  richest  store  the  dust  sends  savours  sweet. 

For  these  things  it  is  meet  to  give  the  Gods 

Thank-offerings  long-enduring  ;  for  our  nets 

Of  vengeance  we  set  close,  and  for  a  woman 

Our  Argive  monster  laid  the  city  low,1 

Foaled  by  the  mare,  a  people  bearing  shield, 

Taking  its  leap  when  set  the  Pleirides  ; 3 

And,  bounding  o'er  the  tower,  that  ravenous  lion 

Lapped  up  its  fill  of  bluod  of  kingly  race. 

This  prelude  to  the  Gods  I  lengthen  out ; 

And  as  concerns  thy  feeling  (this  I  well 

Remember  hearing)  I  with  thee  agree, 

And  thou  in  me  may'st  find  an  advocate. 

With  but  few  men  is  it  their  natural  bent 

To  honour  without  grudging  prosperous  friend  .    • 

For  ill-souled  envy  that  the  heart  besets, 

Doubles  his  woe  who  suffers  that  disease  : 

He  by  his  own  griefs  first  is  overwhelmed, 

And  groans  at  sight  of  others'  happier  lot. 

*  And  I  with  good  cause  say,  (for  well  I  know,) 
They  are  but  friendship's  mirror,  phantom  shade. 
Who  seemed  to  be  my  most  devoted  friends. 
Odysseus  only,  who  against  his  will 4 

Soiled  with  us,  still  was  found  true  trace-fellow; 
And  this  I  say  of  him  or  dead  or  living. 

(1)  Possibly  an  allusion  to  Pandora's  box.  Here,  too,  Hope  alone 
left,  but  it  only  came  up  to  where  the  curve  of  the  rim  began,  not  to  its 
top.  The  imagery  is  drawn  from  the  older  method  of  voting,  in  which 
(as  in  Kitmrtiidet,  v.  678)  the  votes  for  condemnation  and  acquittal  wero 
cast  into  separate  urns. 

!2)  The  lion,  as  the  symbol  of  the  house  of  Atreus,  s*ill  seen  in  tha 
sculptures  of  Mykente  ;  the  horso,  in  allusion  to  the  stratagem  by  wine,*' 
Tnria  had  been  taken. 

.3)  At  the  end  of  autumn,  and  therefore  at  a  season  when  a  storm  lik« 
that  described  by  the  herald  would  be  a  probable  incident  enough, 

(4)  80  in  Sophocles,  1'hiloctetes  (v.  1025)  taunts  Odysseus  : — 

•'  And  yet  thou  sailedst  with  them  by  constraint, 
By  tricks  fast,  bound." 


214  AGAMEMNON. 


But  as  for  all  that  touches  on  the  State, 

Or  on  the  Gods,  in  full  assembly  we, 

Calling  our  council,  will  deliberate :  ** 

For  what  goes  well  we  should  with  care  provide 

How  longest  it  may  last ;  and  where  there  needs 

A  healing  charm,  there  we  with  all  good- will, 

By  surgery  or  cautery  will  try 

To  turn  away  the  mischief  of  disease. 

And  now  will  I  to  home  and  household  hearth 

Move  on,  and  first  give  thanks  unto  the  Gods 

Who  led  me  forth,  and  brought  me  back  again. 

Since  Victory  follows,  long  may  she  remain  ! 

Enter  CLYT^EMNESTRA,  followed  by  female  attendant* 
carrying  purple  tapestry. 

Clytcem.  Ye  citizens,  ye  Argive  senators, 
I  will  not  shrink  from  telling  you  the  talo 
Of  wife's  true  love.     As  time  wears  on  one  drops 
All  over-shyness.     Not  learning  it  from  others, 
I  will  narrate  my  own  unhappy  life, 
The  whole  long  time  my  lord  at  Ilion  stayed. 
For  first,  that  wife  should  sit  at  home  alone 
Without  her  husband  is  a  monstrous  grief, 
Hearing  full  many  an  ill  report  cf  him, 
Now  one  and  now  another  coming  still, 
Bringing  news  home,  worse  trouble  upon  bad. 
Yea,  if  my  lord  had  met  as  manjr  wounds 
As  rumour  told  of,  floating  to  our  house, 
He  had  been  riddled  more  than  any  net ; 
And  had  he  died,  as  tidings  still  .poured  in, 
Then  he,  a  second  Geryon  l  with  three  lives, 
Had  boasted  of  a  threefold  coverlet 
Of  earth  above,  (I  will  not  say  below  him,)3 

(1)  Geryon  appears  in  the  myth  of  Hercules  as  a  monster  with  three 
Beads  and  three  bodies,  ruling-  over  the  island  Erytheia,  in  the  far  West, 
beyond  Hesperia.    To  destroy  him  and  seize  his  cattle  was  one  of  th« 
"  twelve  labours,"  with  which  Hesiod  (Theogon,  w.  287-294)  had  already 
made  men  familiar. 

(2)  When  a  man  is  buried,  there  is  earth  above  and  earth  below  him 
Clytieinneatra  having  used  the  words  "coverlet,"  pauses  to  make  ha 


AGAMEMNON. 


Dying  one  death  for  each  of  those  his  forms ; 

And  eo,  because  of  all  these  ill  reports, 

Full  many  a  noose  around  my  neck  have  others 

Loosed  by  main  force,  when  I  had  hung  myself. 

And  for  this  cause  no  son  is  with  me  now, 

Holding  in  trust  the  pledges  of  our  love, 

As  he  should  be,  Orestes.     Wonder  not ; 

For  now  a  kind  ally  doth  nurture  him, 

iStrophios  the  Phokian,  telling  me  of  woes 

Of  twofold  aspect,  danger  on  thy  side 

At  Ilion,  and  lest  loud-voiced  anarchy 

Should  overthrow  thy  council,  since  'tis  still 

The  wont  of  men  to  kick  at  those  who  fall. 

No  trace  of  guile  bears  this  excuse  of  mine; 

As  for  myself,  the  fountains  of  my  tears 

Have  flowed  till  they  are  dry,  no  drop  remains, 

And  mine  eyes  suffer  from  o'er-late  repose, 

Watching  with  tears  the  beacons  set  for  thee,1 

Left  still  unheeded.     Arid  in  dreams  full  oft 

I  from  my  sleep  was  startled  by  the  gnat 

With  thin  wings  buzzing,  seeing  in  the  night 

Ills  that  stretched  far  beyond  the  time  of  sleep.* 

Now,  having  borne  all  this,  with  mind  at  ease, 

I  hail  my  lord  as  watch-dog  of  the  fold, 

The  stay  that  saves  the  ship,  of  lofty  roof  ** 

Main  column-prop,  a  father's  only  child, 

Land  that  beyond  all  hope  the  sailor  sees, 

Morn  of  great  brightness  following  after  storm, 

language  accurate  to  the  very  letter.  She  is  speaking  only  of  the  earth 
winch  would  hiive  been  laid  over  her  husband  s  corpse,  had  he  died  aa 
often  as  he  w;is  repor  od  lo  have  done.  She  will  not  utter  anything  so 
ominous  as  an  allusion  to  the  dcpiUs  below  l"m  stretching  down  to 


Hades. 
(1)  Or— 


"Weeping  because  the  torches  in  thy  house 
No  more  were  lighted  as  tLey  were  of  yure." 


(2)  The  words  touch  upon  the  psychological  fact  that  in  dreams,  as  in 
Other  abnormal  states  of  the  mind,  the  usiutl  measures  of  time  disappear, 
and  we  seem  to  pass  through  the  experiences  of  many  years  in  toe  8lui-?.» 
ber  of  a  few  minute*. 


216  AGAMEMNON. 


Clear-flowing  fount  to  thirsty  traveller.1 

Yes,  it  is  pleasant  to  escape  a'.l  straits  : 

With  words  of  welcome  such  as  these  I  greet  thee; 

May  jealous  Heaven  forgive  them !  for  we  bore 

Full  many  an  evil  in  the  past ;  and  now, 

Dear  husband,  leave  thy  car,  nor  on  the  ground, 

0  King,  set  thou  the  foot  that  Ilion  trampled. 

Why   linger  ye,  [turning  to  her  aUend(ud8,~\   ye   maids, 

whose  task  it  was 

To  strew  the  pathway  with  your  tapestries  ? 
Let  the  whole  road  be  straightway  purple-strown, 
That  Justice  lead  to  home  he  looked  not  for. 
All  else  my  care,  by  slumber  not  subdued, 
Will  with  God's  help  work  out  what  fate  decrees.1 

{The  handmaids  advance,  and  are  about  to  lay  the  purple 
carpets  on  the  ground.} 

Agam.  0  child  of  Leda,  guardian  of  my  home, 
Thy  speech  hath  with  my  absence  well  agreed — 
For  long  indeed  thou  mad'st  it — but  fit  praise 
Is  boon  that  I  must  seek  at  other  hands. 

1  pray  thee,  do  not  in  thy  woman's  fashion 
Pamper  my  pride,  nor  in  barbaric  guise 
Prostrate  on  earth  raise  full-mouthed  cries  to  me ; 
Make  not  my  path  offensive  to  the  Gods 

By  spreading  it  with  carpets.3    They  alone 

(1)  The  rhetoric  of  the  passage,  with  all  its  multiplied  similitudes,  fine 
as  it  is  in  itself,  receives  its  dramatic  significance  by  being  put  into  the 
lips  of  Clyi  eemnestra.    She  "  doth  protest  too  much."    A  true  wife  would 
have  been  content  with  fewer  words. 

(2)  The  last  three  lines  of  the  speech  are  of  course  intentionally  am> 
biguous,  earrving  one  meaning  to  the  ear  of  Agamemnon,  and  another  to 
that  of  the  audience. 

(31  There  is  obviously  a  side-thnist,  such  as  an  Athenian  audience 
would  catch  at,  at  the  token  of  homage  which  the  Persian  Kings  required 
of  their  subjects,  the  prostration  at  their  IVet,  the  earth  spread  over  with 
costly  robes.  Of  the  latter  custom  we  have  examples  in  the  history  of 
Jehu,  (2  Kings  ix.  13,)  in  our  Lord's  entry  into  Jerusalem,  (Mark  xi.  8,) 
in  the  usages  of  modern  Persian  kings,  (Malcolm's  Persia,  i.  580;) 
perhaps  also  in  the  true  tendering  of  1's.  xlv.  U.  "She  shall  be  brought 
unto  the  king  on  raiment  of  nuedU'-wnrk  "  In  the  inarch  of  Xerxes 
across  the  Hellespont  myrtle-boughs  strown  on  th»'  bridge  of  boats  took 
the  pliiee  of  robes,  (Herod,  vii.  54.)  To  the  Green  character,  with  its 
•trong  love  of  independence,  such  customs  were  hateful.  The  case  oi 


AGAMEMNON.  117 


May  claim  that  honour  ;  but  for  mortal  men 

To  walk  on  fair  embroidery,  to  me 

Seems  nowise  without  peril.     So  I  bid  you 

To  honour  me  as  man,  and  not  as  God. 

Apart  from  all  foot-mats  and  tapestry 

My  fame  speaks  loudly ;  and  God's  greatest  gift  ** 

Is  not  to  err  from  wisdom.     We  must  bless 

Him  only  who  ends  life  in  fair  estate.1 

iSbould  I  thus  act  throughout,  good  hope  were  mine. 

Chjtcem.  Nay,  say  not  this  my  purposes  to  thwart. 

Ayam.  Know  I  change   not  for   the   worse  my  pur- 
pose. 

Clytam.  In  fear,  perchance,  thou  vowed'st  thus  to  act. 

Agum.  If  any,  I,  with  good  ground  spoke  my  will.2 

Ciyt&m.  What  think'st  thou   Priam,  had  he  wrought 
such  deeds  .   .  .  ? 

Agam.  Full  gladly  he,  I  trow,  had  trod  on  carpets. 

Clytdb-m.  Then  shrink  not  thou  through  fear  of  men's 
dispraise.  9l° 

Agam,  And  yet  a  people's  whisper  hath  great  might.3 

Clytffim.  Who  is  not  envied  is  not  enviable. 

Agam.  'Tis  not  a  woman's  part  to  crave  for  strife. 

Clytam.  True,  yet  the  prosperous  e'en  should  some- 
times yield. 

Agam.  Dost  thou  then  prize  that  victory  in  the  strife  ? 

Clytcem.  Nay,  list;   with  all  good- will  yield  me  this 
boon. 

Agam.  Well,  then,  if  thou  wilt  have  it  so.  with  speed 
Let  some  one  loose  my  buskins,4  (servants  they 

Pausanias,  who  offended  the  national  feeling  by  assuming  the  outward 
state  of  the  Persian  kings,  must  have  been  recalled  to  the  minds  of  tho 
Athenians,  intentionally  or  otherwise,  by  such  a  passave  as  this. 

(1)  The  "old  saying,   famed  of  many  men,"   which   we  find  in  the 
Trachinite  of  Sophocles,  (v.  1,)  and  in  the  counsel  of  Solon  to  Croesos, 
(Herod  i.  32.) 

(2)  He  who  had  suffered  so  much  -from  the  wrath  of  Artemis  at  Aulis 
knew  what  it  was  to  rouse  the  wrath  and  jealousy  of  the  Gods. 

(3)  An  echo  of  a  line  in  Hesiod,  (  Wmkt  and  Days,  7(U)  — 

"No  whispered  rumours  which  the  many  spread 

Can  ever  wholly  perish." 

(4",  Here,   too,    we  may  trace  a  reference  to    the  <  Jvientnl   custom  ol 
g  the  sanctity  of  a  consecrated  place  by  taking  the  shoes  front 


2l8  AGAMEMNON. 


Doing  the  foot's  true  work,)  and  as  I  tread 

Upon  these  robes  sea-purpled,  may  no  wrath 

From  glance  of  Gods  smite  on  me  from  afar  I  •* 

Great  shame  I  feel  to  trample  with  my  foot 

This  wealth  of  carpets,  costliest  work  of  looms ; 

So  far  for  this.     This  stranger  \_pointing  to  CASSANDRA] 

lead  thou  in 

With  kindliness.     On  him  who  gently  wields 
His  power  God's  eye  looks  kindly  from  afar. 
None  of  their  own  will  choose  a  bondslave's  life ; 
And  she,  the  chosen  flower  of  many  spoils, 
Has  followed  with  me  as  the  army's  gift. 
But  since  I  turn,  obeying  thee  in  this, 
I'll  to  my  palace  go,  on  purple  treading.  •*• 

Clyttxm.  There  is  a  sea, — and  who  shall  drain  it  dry  ? 
Producing  still  new  store  of  purple  juice, 
Precious  as  silver,  staining  in  any  a  robe. 
And  in  our  house,  with  God's  help,  O  my  king, 
'Tis  ours  to  boast  our  palace  knows  no  stint. 
Trampling  of  many  robes  would  1  have  vowed, 
Had  that  been  ordered  me  in  oracles, 
V/hen  for  my  lord's  return  I  then  did  plan 
My  votive  gifts.     For  while  the  root  lives  on, 
The  folinge  stretches  even  to  the  house, 
And  spreads  its  shade  against  the  dog-star's  rage  j          ** 
So  when  thou  comest  to  thy  hearth  and  home, 
Thoti  show'st  that  warmth  hath  come  in  winter  time; 
And  when  from  unripe  clusters  Zeus  matures 
The  wine,1  then  is  there  coolness  in  the  house, 
If  the  true  master  dwelleth  in  his  home. 
Ah,  Zeus  !  the  All-worker,  Zeus,  work  out  for  me 

off  the  feet,  as  in  Exod.  iii.  5,  in  the  services  of  the  Tabernacle  «n4 
Temple,  through  all  their  history,  (Juven.,  Sat.  vi.  15!',)  in  all  mosques  to 
the  present  day.  Agamemnon,  yielding  to  the  teinpticss,  seeks  to  make 
a  compromise  with  his  conscience,  lie  will  walk  upon  the  tapestry,  but 
will  treat  it  as  if  it,  of  right,  belonged  to  the  Gods,  and  were  a  conse- 
crated thing.  It  is  probably  in  connexion  with  iliis  incident  thut 
/Ksohylos  was  said  to  have  been  the  first  to  bring  actors  on  the  stage  in 
these  boots  or  buskins,  (Suidas.  s  v.  ap/3u\7j.) 

(1)  The  words  of  Isaiah,  (xviii.  5,)  "  when  the  sour  grape  is  ripening  ia 
the  dower,"  present  aii  almost  verbal  parallel. 


AGAMEMNON.  219 


All  that  I  pray  for  ;  let  it  be  thy  care 
To  look  to  what  Thou  purposest  to  work.1 

[Exeunt  AGAMEMNON,  'walking  on  the  tapestry, 
and  her  attendantt. 


STBOPH.  L 

Ohor.  Why  thus  continually 
Do  haunting  phantoms  hover  at  the  gate  P 

Of  my  foreboding  heart  ? 
Why  floats  prophetic  song,  unbought,  unbidden  P 

Why  doth  no  steadfast  tmst 

Sit  on  my  mind's  dear  throne, 
To  fling  it  from  me  as  a  vision  dim  ? 
Long  time  hath  passed  since  stern-ropes  of  our  ships 
Were  fastened  on  the  sand,  when  our  great  host 

Of  those  that  sailed  in  ships 

Had  como  to  Ilion's  towers  :  * 

A.NTISTBOPH.  L 

And  now  from  these  mine  eyes 
I  learn,  myself  reporting  to  myself, 

Their  safe  return  ;  and  yet 
My  mind  within  itself,  taught  by  itself, 

Chunteth  Ermnys'  dirge, 

Tlie  lyreless  melody, 

And  hath  no  strength  of  wonted  confidence. 
Not  vain  these  inner  pulses,  as  my  heart 
Whirls  eddying  in  breast  oracular. 

I,  against  hope,  will  pray 

It  prove  false  oracle. 

STROPH.  n. 

Of  high,  o'erflowing  health 
There  is  no  bound  that  stays  the  wish  for  more, 
For  evermore  disease,  as  neighbour  close 

Whom  but  a  wall  divides, 

(1)  The  ever-recurring  ambiguity  of  Clytremnes^ra's  language  is  again 
traceable,  as  is  also  her  fondness  fur  rhetorical  similitudes. 

(2)  The  Chorus  speaks  in  perplexity.    It  cannot  get  rid  of  its  forebod- 
ings. and  jet  it  would  seem  as  if  the  time  for  the  fulfilment  of  the  dark 
words  of  Calchas  must  have  passed  long  since.    It  actually  sees  the  saf« 
return  of  the  leadei  of  the  host,  yet  still  iu  lean  haunt  it. 


22O  AGAMEMNON. 


Upon  it  presses  ;  and  man's  prosperous  state 

*Moves  on  its  course  and  strikes 

Upon  an  unseen  rock  ; 
But  if  his  fear  for  safety  of  his  freight, 
A  part,  from  well- poised  sling,  shall  sacrifice,  *• 

Then  the  whole  house  sinks  not, 

O'erfilled  with  wretchedness, 

Nor  does  he  swamp  his  boat : 

So,  too,  abundant  gift 
From  Zeus  in  bounteous  fulness,  and  the  fruit 

Of  glebe  at  harvest  tide 

Have  caused  to  cease  sore  hunger's  pestilence; 
ANTISTBOPU.  IT. 

But  blood  that  once  hath  flowed 
In  purple  stains  of  death  upon  the  ground 
At  a  man's  feet,  who  then  can  bid  it  back 

By  any  charm  of  song  '< 
Else  him  who  knew  to  call  the  dead  to  life* 

*  Zeus  had  not  sternly  checked,  ** 

*  As  warning  unto  all ; 

But  unless  Fate,  firm-fixed,  had  barred  our  fate 
From  any  chance  of  succour  from  the  Gods, 

Then  had  my  heart  poured  forth 

Its  thoughts,  outstripping  speech.* 

But  now  in  gloom  it  wails 

Sore  vexed,  with  little  hope 
At  any  time  hereafter  fitting  end  **» 

To  find,  unravelling, 
My  soul  within  me  burning  with  hot  thoughts. 

Re-enter  CLYT^EMXESTUA. 
Gil/teem,  [to  CASSANDRA,  who  has  remained  in  the  chariot 

durinrj  the  choral  ode."] 
Thou  too — I  mean  Cassandra — go  within ; 

(1)  Asclepios,  •whom  Zeus  smote  with  his  thunderbolt  for  having  restored 
Hippolytos  to  life. 

(2)  The  Chorus,   in  spi'e  of  their  suspicions  and  foreboding,  have 
pivL-ii   the  king  no  warning.    They  excuse  themselves  by  the  plea  of 
necessity,  tha  sovereign  decree  of  Zeus  overruling  oil  man's  attempt*  to 
withstand  it. 


AGAMEMNON. 


Since  Zeus  hath  made  it  thine,  and  not  in  wrath, 

To  share  the  lustral  waters  in  our  house, 

Standing  with  many  a  slave  the  altar  nigh 

Of  Zeus,  who  guards  our  goods.1    Now  get  thee  down 

From  out  this  car,  nor  look  so  over  proud. 

They  say  that  e'en  Alcmena's  son  endured  * 

Being  sold  a  slave,  constrained  to  bear  the  yoke : 

And  if  the  doom  of  this  ill  chance  should  come, 

Great  boon  it  is  to  meet  with  lords  who  own 

Ancestral  wealth.     But  whoso  reap  full  crops  im 

They  never  dared  to  hope  for,  these  in  all, 

And  beyond  measure,  to  their  slaves  are  harsh :  * 

From  us  thou  hast  what  usage  doth  prescribe. 

Clior.  So  ends  she,  speaking  words  full  clear  to  thee ; 
And  seeing  thou  art  in  the  toils  of  fate, 
If  thou  obey,  thou  wilt  obey  ;  and  yet, 
Perchance,  obey  thou  wilt  not. 

Clytcvm.  Nay,  but  unless  she,  like  a  swallow,  speaks 
A  barbarous  tongue  unknown,  I,  speaking  now 
Within  her  apprehension,  bid  obey. 

Chor.  [to  CASSANDRA,  still  standing  motionless]  Go  with 

her.     What  she  bids  is  now  the  best; 
Obey  her :  leave  thy  seat  upon  this  car. 

Clytcem.  I  have  no  leisure  here  to  stay  without : 
For  as  regards  our  central  altar,  there 
The  sheep  stand  by  as  victims  for  the  fire ; 
For  never  had  we  hoped  such  thanks  to  give  : 
If  thou  wilt  do  this,  make  no  more  delay ; 


(1)  Cassandra  is  summoned  to  on  act  of  worship.  The  household  ifl 
gathered,  the  altar  to  Zeus  Ktesios,  (the  God  of  the  family  property, 
slaves  included,)  standing  in  the  servants'  hall,  is  ready.  The  new  slave 
must  come  in  and  take  her  pl«ce  with  the  others. 

(•2)  As  in  the  stoi-y  which  forms  the  groundwork  of  the  Traehinia  of 
Sophocles,  w.  250-280,  that  Heracles  had  been  sold  to  Omphale  as  a  slave, 
in  penalty  for  the  murder  of  Iphitos. 

(3)  Political  as  well  as  dramatic.  The  Eupatrid  poet  appeals  to  public 
opinion  against  tue  nfinve.aux  riches,  the  tanners  and  lamp-makers,  who 
were  already  beginning  to  push  themselves  forward  towards  prominence 
and  power.  The  way  was  1  hus  prepared  in  the  first  play  of  the  Trilogy 
for  what  is  known  to  have  been  the  main  object  of  the  last.  Comp.  Arist., 
Ma*.  ii.jK. 


122  AGAMEMNON. 


But  if  thou  understandest  not  my  words, 
Then  wave  thy  foreign  hand  in  lieu  of  speech. 

[CASSANDRA  shudders  as  in  horror,  but 

makes  no  siyn. 

Chor.  The  stranger  seems  a  clear  interpreter 
To  need.  Her  look  is  like  a  captured  deer's. 

Clytff.m.  Nay,  she  is  mad,  and  follows  evil  thoughts, 
Since,  leaving  now  her  city,  newly-captured, 
She  comes,  and  knows  not  how  to  take  the  curb, 
Ere  she  foam  out  her  passion  in  her  blood. 
I  will  not  bear  the  shame  of  uttering  more.  [Exit. 

Chor.  And  I — I  pity  her,  and  will  not  rage : 
Come,  thou  poor  sufferer,  empty  leave  thy  car ; 
Yield  to  thy  doom,  and  handsel  now  the  yoke. 

[CASSANDEA  li-aves  the  chariot,  and  bursts 
into  a  cry  of  waiting, 

STROPH.  I. 
Cass.  Woe!  woe,  and  well-a-day I 

Apollo!  O  Apollo!  »* 

CJior.  Why  criest  thou  so  loud  on  Loxias  P 
The  wailing  cry  of  mourner  suits  not  him. 

AxTisTROpn.  I. 
Cass.  Woe !  woe,  and  well-a-day  I 

Apollo  !  0  Apollo  ! 

Chor.  Again  with  boding  words  she  calls  the  God, 
Though  all  unmeet  as  helper  to  men's  groans. 

STBOPH.  n. 

Cass.  Apollo !  0  Apollo ! 

God  of  all  paths,  Apollo  true  to  me ; 
For  still  thou  dost  appal  me  and  destroy.1 

Chor.  She  seems  her  own  ills  like  to  prophecy:          vm 
The  God's  great  gift  is  in  the  slave's  mind  yet. 

(1)  Here  again  the  translator  has  the  task  of  finding  an  English  paro- 
nnmasia  which  approximates  to  that  of  1he  Greek,  between  Apol!o  and 
a7roXAwi>  the  ite.iti-oyer.  To  Apollo,  as  the  God  of  paths,  (siguieut,)  an 
altar  stood,  column-fashion,  before  the  street-door  of  every  house,  and  to 
such  tin  alt  »r,  placed  by  the  door  of  Agamemnon's  palace,  Cassandra  turns, 
vn'.h  t U*  twuluhl  vluy  upon  the  ilauis. 


AGAMEMNON, 


ASTISTBOPH.  TL 

Cass.  Apollo  !  O  Apollo  I 

God  of  all  paths,  Apollo  true  to  me ; 
What  path  hast  led  me  9    To  what  roof  hast  Drought  P 

Chor.  To  that  of  the  Atreidse.     This  I  tell, 
If  thou  know'st  not.     Thou  wilt  not  find  it  false. 

STBOPH.  IIL 

Cass.  Ah  !  Ah !  Ah  me ! 

Say  rather  to  a  house  God  hates — that  knows 

Murdor,  self-slaughter,  ropes,1 
*  A  human  shamble,  staining  earth  with  blood. 

Chor.  Keen  scented  seems  this  stranger,  like  a  hound, 
And  sniffs  to  see  whose  murder  she  may  find. 

AsmsTuorn.  HI. 

Cass.  Ah !  Ah !  Ah  me  ! 

Lo  !  [looking  wildly,  and  pointing  to  the  house,~\  there  the 
witnesses  whose  word  I  trust, — 

Those  babes  who  wail  their  death, 
The  roasted  flesh  that  made  a  father's  meal. 

Chor.  We  of  a  truth  had  heard  thy  seeress  fame, 
But  prophets  now  are  not  the  race  we  seek.a 

STBOPH.  IV. 
Cass.  Ah  me  !     O  horror  !    What  ill  schemes  she  now  ? 

What  is  this  new  great  woe  ? 
Great  evil  plots  she  in  this  veiy  house, 
Ilard  for  its  friends  to  bear,  immedicable  ; 

And  help  stands  far  aloof. 
Chor.  These  oracles  of  thine  surpass  my  ken ; 
Those  I  know  well.     The  whole  town  rings  with  them.8 

(1)  This  refers,  probably,  to  the  death  of  ITippodameia,  the  wife  of 
Pelops,  who  killed  herself,  in  remorse  for  the  death  of  Chrysippos,  or 
fear  of  her  husband's  anger.  The  horrors  of  the  royal  house  of  Arpos 
pass,  one  by  one,  before  the  vision  of  the"  prophetess,  and  this  leads 
the  procession,  followed  t>y  the  spectres  of  the  murdered  children  of 
Thyestes. 

('2)  The  Chorns,  as  in  'heir  last  ode,  had  made  up  their  minds,  though 
foreboding  ill,  to  let  des  iny  t;tke  its  course.  They  do  not  wish  that 
policy  of  non-interference  to  be  changed  by  any  too  clear  vision  of  the 
future. 

'3)  The  Chorus  understands  tie  vision  of  the  ciairvuyaHte  as  regard*  the 


324  AGAMEMNON. 


AHTISTBOPH.  IV. 
Cast.  Ah  me !  0  daring  one  !  what  work'st  thou  here, 

Who  having  in  his  bath 

Tended  thy  spouse,  thy  lord,  then  .  .  .  How  tell  the  rest  P 
For  quick  it  comes,  and  hand  is  following  hand, 

Stretched  out  to  strike  the  blow.  Ioeo 

CJior.  Still  I  discern  not ;  after  words  so  dark 
I  am  perplexed  with  thy  dim  oracles. 

STBOPH.  V. 
Cass.     Ah,  horror,  horror  !     "What  is  this  I  see  P 

Is  it  a  snare  of  Hell  ? 
Nay,  the  true  net  is  she  who  shares  his  bed, 

Who  shares  in  working  death. 
Ha !  let  the  Band  insatiable  in  hate  * 
Howl  for  the  race  its  wild  exulting  cry 
O'er  sacrifice  that  calls 
For  death  by  storm  of  stones. 

STHOPH.  VI. 

Chor.  What  dire  Erinnys  bidd'st  thou  o'er  our  house 
To  raise  shrill  cry  P    Thy  speech  but  little  cheers ; 
And  to  my  heart  there  rush 

Blood-drops  of  saffron  hue,3  *** 

*  Which,  when  from  deadly  wound 
They  fall,  together  with  life's  setting  rays 
End,  as  it  fails,  their  own  appointed  course : 
And  mischief  comes  apace. 
AJJTISTBOPII.  V. 

Cass.  See,  see,  I  say,  from  that  fell  heifer  there. 
Keep  thou  the  bull : 3  in  robes 

part  tragedy  of  the  house  of  Atreus,  but  not  that  which  seems  to  portend 
another  actually  imminent. 

(1)  Fresh  visions  come  before  the  eyes  of  the  seeress.    She  beholds  the 
Company  of  Krinnyes  hovering  over  the  accursed  house,  and  calls  on 
them  to  continue  their  work  till  the  new  crime  has  met  with  its  duo 

Sunishmeut.   The  murder  which  she  sees  as  if  already  wrought,  demands 
eath  by  stoning. 

(2)  The  "yellow"  look  of  fear  is  thought  of  as  being  caused  by  an 
actual  change  in  the  colour  of  the  blood  as  it  flows  through  the  veins  to 
the  heart. 

13)  Here  there  is  prevision  as  well  as  clairvoyance.    The  deed  is  not  jet 


AGAMEMNON.  2*5 


Entangling  him,  she  with  her  weapon  gores 

Him  with  the  swarthy  horns  ; 1 
Lo  !  in  that  bath  with  water  filled  he  falls, 
Smitten  to  death,  and  I  to  thee  set  forth 

Crime  of  a  bath  of  blood, 

By  murderous  guile  devised. 

AxTJSTROPH.  VI. 

Chor.  I  may  not  boast  that  I  keen  insight  have 
In  words  oracular ;  yet  bode  I  ill.  •*• 

What  tidings  good  are  brought 

By  any  oracles 

To  moital  men  ?    These  arts, 

In  days  of  evils  sore,  with  many  words, 
Do  still  but  bring  a  vague,  portentous  fear 

For  men  to  learn  and  know. 

STBOPH.  VTI. 

Cass.  "Woe,  woe  !  for  all  sore  ills  that  fall  on  me! 
It  is  my  grief  thou  speak'st  of,  blending  it 

With  his.2     [Pausing,  and  then  crying  out.]    All  I 

wherefore  then 

Hast  thou3  thus  brought  me  here, 
Only  to  die  with  thee  ? 
What  other  doom  is  mine  ? 

STBOPH.  VITJ. 

Chor.  Frenzied  art  thou,  and  by  some  God's  might 
swayed,  m* 

And  utterest  for  thysell 
A  melody  which  is  no  melody, 
Like  to  that  tawny  one, 

done.    The  sacrifice  and  the  tenet  are  still  going  on,  yet  she  sees  the  crime 
in  all  its  circumstances. 

(1)  As  before  'v.  115)  the  black  eagle  had  been  the  symbol  of  th« 
Warrior-chief,  so  here  the  black-horned  bull,  that  being  one  of  the  notes 
of  the  beat  breed  of  cattle.    A  various  reading  gives  "with  her  swarthy 
horn." 

(2)  What  the  Chorns  had  just  said  as  to  fhe  fmitlessness  of  prophetic 
Insight  tallied  all  too  well  with  her  own  bitter  experience. 

(3)  The  ecstasy  of  horrm  in'  errupte  the  tenor  of  her  speech,  and  th« 
•ccoud  "thcu  "  is  adlressednotto  the  Chorus,  but  to  Agamemnon,  whos* 
ieatii  Cassattlra  has  just  witnessed  in  her  vision. 

0 


226  AGAMEMNON. 


Insatiate  in  her  wail, 
The  nightingale,  who  still  with  sorrowing  soul, 

And  "Itys,  Itys,"  cry,1 
Bemoans  a  life  o'erflourishing  in  ills. 

ANTTSTBOPH.  VTL 

Cass.  Ah,  for  the  doom  of  clear-  voiced  nightingale  I 
The  Gods  gave  her  a  body  bearing  wings, 
And  life  of  pleasant  days 
With  no  fresh  cause  to  weep  : 
But  for  me  waiteth  still 
Stroke  from  the  two-edged  sword, 


AXTISTROPH. 
CTior.  From  what  source  hast  thou  these  dread  agonlei 

Sent  on  thee  by  thy  God, 

Tet  vague  and  little  meaning  ;  and  thy  cries  U2a 

Dire  with  ill-omened  shrieks 
Dost  utter  as  a  chant, 
And  blendest  with  them  strains  of  shrillest  grief? 

Whence  treadest  thou  this  track 
Of  evil-boding  path  of  prophecy  ? 

BTROPH.  IX. 

Cass.  Woe  for  the  marriage-ties,  the  marriage-ties 
Of  Paris  that  brought  ruin  on  his  friends  I 

Woe  for  my  native  stream, 

Scamandros,  that  I  loved  ! 
Once  on  thy  banks  my  maiden  youth  was  reared, 

(Ah,  miserable  me  !) 

Now  by  Cokytos  and  by  Acheron's  shores  "^ 

I  seem  too  likely  soon  to  utter  song 

Of  wild,  prophetic  speech. 

(1)  The  sang  of  the  nightingale,  represented  by  these  sounds,  was  con- 
nected with  a  long  legend,  specially  At  Me  in  its  origin  Philomela, 
daughter  of  Pandion,  king  of  Attica,  suffered  outrage  at  the  hands  of 
Tercus,  who  was  married  to  her  sister  Procne,  and  was  then  changed  into 
a  nightingale,  destined  ever  to  lament  the  fate  of  Itys.  her  sister's  son. 
The  earliest  form  of  the  story  appears  in  the  Odyssey,  (xix.  513).  Coiup, 
Sophocles,  Eicctr.  T.  148. 


AGAMESINOK. 


STUOPH.  X. 

Chor.  "What  hast  thou  spoken  now 
With  utterance  all  too  clear  ? 

*Evcn  a  boy  its  gist  might  understand  ; 
I  to  the  quick  arn  pierced 
With  throe  of  deadly  pain, 

Whilst  thou  thy  moaning  cries  art  uttering 
Over  thy  sore  mischance, 
Wondrous  for  me  to  hear. 


H.  DC. 

Cass.  Woe  foi  the  toil  and  trouble,  toil  and  trouble 
Of  city  that  is  utterly  destroyed  1 

Woe  for  the  victims  slain 

Of  herds  that  roamed  the  fields, 
My  father's  sacrifice  to  save  his  towers  I 

No  healing  charm  they  brought 
To  save  the  city  from  its  present  doom  : 
And  I  with  hot  thoughts  wild  myself  shall  cast 

Full  soon  upon  the  ground. 

ANTISTBOPH.  X. 
Chor.  This  that  thou  utterest  now 

With  all  before  agrees. 

Some  Power  above  dooms  thee  with  purpose  ill, 
Down-swooping  heavily, 
To  utter  with  thy  voice 
Sorrows  of  deepest  woe,  and  bringing  death. 
And  what  the  end  shall  be 
Perplexes  in  the  extreme. 

Case.  Nay,  now  no  more  from  out  of  maiden  veils 
My  oracle  phall  glance,  like  bride  fresh  wed  ;  l  U8t 

But  seems  as  though  'twould  rush  with  speedy  gales 
In  full,  clear  brightness  to  the  morning  dawn  ; 
So  that  a  greater  woe  than  this  shall  surge 

(1)  In  the  marriage-rites  of  the  Greeks  of  the  time  of  2Eschylos,  the  bridi 
for  three  days  after  the  wedding  wore  her  veil  ;  then,  as  now  no  longe* 
•brinking  from  her  matron  life,  she  laid  it  aside  and  looked  on  her  hu«« 
btiud  with  unveiled  f^Oft* 


228  AGAMEMNON. 


Like  waye  against  the  sunlight.1    Now  I'll  teach 
No  more  in  parables.     Bear  witness  ye, 
As  running  with  me,  that  I  scent  the  track 
Of  svil  deeds  that  long  ago  were  wrought: 
For  never  are  they  absent  from  this  house, 
That  choral  band  which  chants  in  full  accord, 
Yet  no  good  music ;  good  is  not  their  theme. 
And  now,  as  having  drunk  men's  blood,2  and  89 
Grown  wilder,  bolder,  see,  the  revelling  band, 
Erinnyes  of  the  race,  still  haunt  the  halls, 
Not  easy  to  dismiss.     And  so  they  sing, 
Close  cleaving  to  the  house,  its  primal  woe,' 
And  vent  their  loathing  in  alternate  strains 
On  marriage-bed  of  brother  ruthless  found 
To  that  defiler.     *Miss  I  now,  or  hit, 
Like  archer  skilled  ?  or  am  I  seeress  false, 
A  babbler  vain  that  knocks  at  every  door  P 
Yea,  swear  beforehand,  ere  I  die,  I  know 
(And  not  by  rumour  only)  all  the  sins 
Of  ancient  days  that  haunt  and  vex  this  house. 

Chor.  How  could  an  oath,  how  firm  soe'er  confirmed, 
Bring  aught  of  healing  ?    Lo,  I  marvel  at  thee, 
That  thou,  though  born  far  off  beyond  the  sea, 
Should'st  tell  an  alien  city's  tale  as  clear 
As  though  thyself  had  stood  by  all  the  while. 

Case.  The  seer  Apollo  set  me  to  this  task. 

Chor.  Was  he,  a  God,  so  smitten  with  desire  P 

Cass.  There  was  a  time  when  shame  restrained  my 
speech. 

Chor.  True  ;  they  who  prosper  still  are  shy  and  coy. 

Case.  He  wrestled  hard,  breathing  hot  love  on  me. 

Chor.  And  were  ye  one  in  act  whence  children  spring  P 

(1)  The  picture  mig-ht  be  drawn  by  any  artist  of  power,  but  we  may, 
perhaps,  trace  a  reproduction  of  one  of  the  grandest  pass  ges  in  the  Iliad, 
(iv.  422-426.) 

(2)  So  in  the  EumeniJes,  (v.  293,)  the  Erinnyes  appear  as  vampires, 
drinking  1he  blood  of  their  victims. 

(8)  The  death  of  MyHilos  as  the  first  crime  in  the  long  history  of  th« 
house  of  Pelops.    Comp.  Soph.  Electr.  v.  470.    The  "dunler"  if 
Who  seduced  Aerope,  the  wile  of  Atreua. 


AGAMEMNON.  229 


«.  I  promised  Loxias,  then  I  broke  my  vow. 

Char.  Wast     thou     e'en    then    possessed    with    arts 
divine  ?  118a 

Cass.  E'en  then  my  country's  woes  T  prophesied. 

Chor.  How  wast  thou  then  unscathed  by  Loxias'  wrath  ? 

Cass.  I  for  that  fault  with  no  man  gained  belief. 

Chor.  To  us,  at  least,  thou  seem'st  to  speak  the  truth. 

Cass.  [Again  speaking  wildly,  as  in  an  ecstasi/~\  Ah,  woe 

is  me  !     Woe's  me  !     Oh,  ills  on  ills  I 
Again  the  dread  pang  of  true  prophet's  gift 
With  preludes  of  great  evil  dizzies  me. 
See  ye  those  children  sitting  on  the  house 
In  fashion  like  to  phantom  forms  of  dreams  ?  "•* 

Infants  who  perished  at  their  own  kin's  hands, 
Their  palms  filled  full  with  meat  of  their  own  flesh, 
Loom  on  my  sight,  the  heart  and  entrails  bearing, 
(A  sorry  burden  that !)  on  which  of  old 
Their  father  fed.1    And  in  revenge  for  this, 
I  say  a  lion,  dwelling  in  his  lair, 
With  not  a  spark  of  courage,  stay-at-home, 
Plots  'gainst  my  master,  now  he's  home  returned, 
(Yes  mine — for  still  I  must  the  slave's  yoke  bear ;) 
And  the  ship's  ruler,  Ilion's  conqueror, 
Knows  not  what  things  the  tongue  of  that  lewd  bitch 
Has  spoken  and  spun  out  in  welcome  smooth,  *** 

And,  like  a  secret  Atd,  will  work  out 
With  dire  success :  thus  'tis  she  plans :  the  man 
Is  murdered  by  the  woman.     By  what  name 
Shall  I  that  loathed  monster  rightly  call  ? 
An  Arnphisbaena  ?  or  a  Skylla  dwelling* 
Among  the  rocks,  the  sailors'  enemy  ? 

(1)  The  horror  of  the  Thyestes  banquet  again  haunts  her  as  the  Bonre* 
of  all  the  evil*  that  followed,  of  the  deaths  both  of  Iphigeneia  and  Aga- 
memnon.   The  "stay-at-home"  is  ^Egisthos. 

(2)  Both  words  point  to  the  Sindbad-like  stories  of  distant  marvels 
brought  back  by  Greek  sailors.    The  Amphisbama,  (double-goer),  wrig- 
gling itself  backward  and  forward,   believed  to  have  a  head  at  each 
extremity,  was  looked  upon  as   at  once  the  most  sub'le  and  the  most 
venomous  oi  serpents.    Skylla,  already  famous  in  its  mythical  form  from 
the  story  in  the  Odyssey,  (xii.  85-100,)  was  probably  a  "development"  of 
the  monstrous  cuttle-fish  of  the  straits  of  Alessina. 


AGAMEMNON. 


Hades'  fierce  raging  mother,  breathing  out 

Against  her  friends  a  curse  implacable  ? 

Ah,  how  she  raised  her  cry,  (oh,  daring  one  I) 

As  for  the  rout  of  battle,  and  she  feigns 

To  hail  with  joy  her  husband's  sale  return  I 

And  if  thou  dost  not  credit  this,  what  then  ? 

What  will  be  will.     Soon,  present,  pitying  me  ttw 

Thou'lt  own  I  am  too  true  a  prophetess. 

Chor.  Thyestes'  banquet  on  his  children's  flesh 
I  know  and  shudder  at,  and  fear  o'ercoines  me, 
Hearing  not  counterfeits  of  fact,  but  truths  ; 
Yet  in  the  rest  I  hear  and  miss  my  path. 

Caas.  I  say  thou'lt  witness  Agamemnon's  death. 

Chur.  Hush,    wretched  woman,   close    those    lips   of 
thine! 

Cass.  For  this  my  speech  no  healing  God's  at  hand. 

Chor.  True,  if  it  must  be  ;  but  may  God  avert  it !      1MO 

Cass.  Thou  utterest  prayers,  but  others  murder  plot. 

Clior.  And  by  what  man  is  this  dire  evil  wrought  ? 

Cuss.  Sure,  thou  hast  seen  my  bodings  all  amiss. 

Chor.  I  see  not  his  device  who  works  the  deed. 

Cass.  And  yet  I  speak  the  Hellenic  tongue  right  well. 

Chor.  So  does  the  Pythian,  yet  her  words  are  hard. 

Cass.  [In  another  access  of  frenzy.]  Ah  me,  this  fire! 

It  comes  upon  me  now  ! 
Ah  me,  Apollo,  wolf- slayer !  woe  is  me  I 
This  biped  lioness  who  takes  to  bed 
A  wolf  in  absence  of  the  noble  lion, 
Will  slay  me,  wretched  me.     Ami,  as  one 
Mixing  a  poisoned  draught,  she  boasts  that  she 
Will  put  my  price  into  her  cup  of  wrath, 
Sharpening  her  sword  to  smite  her  spouse  with  death, 
So  paying  him  for  bringing  me.     Oh,  why 
Do  I  still  wear  what  all  men  flout  and  scorn, 
My  wand  and  seeress  wreaths  around  my  neck  ?  * 

(1)  As  in  Homer  (H.  i.  14)  so  here,  the  servant  of  Apollo  bears  th« 
vand  of  augury,  and  fillets  or  wreaths  round  head  and  arms.  Thi 
livming  garments,  in  like  manner,  were  of  wliite  liuen. 


AGAMEMNON.  231 


Thee,  ere  myself  I  die  I  will  destroy :  [breaks  her  wand.] 
Perish  ye  thus:  [casting  off  her  wreaths,']  I  soon  shall 

follow  you  : 

Make  rich  another  Ate  !  in  my  place ; 
Behold  Apollo's  self  is  stripping  me 
Of  my  divining  garments,  and  that  too, 
When  he  has  seen  me  even  in  this  garb 
Scorned  without  cause  among  my  friends  and  kin, 
*By  foes,  with  no  diversity  of  mood. 
Beviled  as  vagrant,  wandering  prophetess^ 
Poor,  wretched,  famished,  I  endui-ed  to  live : 
And  now  the  Seer  who  me  a  sceress  made 
Hath  brought  me  to  this  lot  of  deadly  doom, 
Now  for  my  father's  altar  there  awaits  me 
A  butcher's  block,  where  I  am  smitten  down 
By  slaughtering  stroke,  and  with  hot  gush  of  blood. 
But  the  Gods  will  not  slight  us  when  we're  dead;        IMO 
Another  yet  shall  come  as  champion  for  us, 
A  son  who  slays  his  mother,  to  avenge 
His  father ;  and  the  exiled  wanderer 
Far  from  his  home,  shall  one  day  come  again, 
Upon  these  woes  to  set  the  coping-stone  : 
For  the  high  Gods  have  sworn  a  mighty  oath, 
His  father's  full,  laid  low,  shall  bring  him  back. 
Why  then  do  I  thus  groan  in  this  new  home,* 
When,  to  begin  with,  Ilion's  town  I  saw 
Faring  as  it  did  fare,  and  they  who  held 
That  town  are  gone  Ly  judgment  of  the  GodsP  mo 

I  too  will  fare  as  they  and  venture  death : 
So  I  these  gates  of  Hades  now  address, 
And  pray  for  blow  that  bringeth  death  at  once, 
That  so  with  no  tierce  spasm,  while  the  blood 
Flows  in  calm  death,  I  then  may  close  mine  eyes. 

[Goes  towards  the  duor  ofthepaJaeet 

(1)  If  we  adopt  this  reading,  we  must  think  of  Cassandra  as  identifying 
herself  wiih  the  woe  (Ate)  which  makes  up  her  life,  just  as  afterwards 
Clytsemnestra  speaks  of  herself  as  one  with  the  avenging  Demon  (Alastor) 
cf  the  house  of  Atreus,  (1473.)    The  alternative  reading  {jives, — 

"  Make  rich  in  woe  another  in  my  place." 

(2)  Perhaps,  "in  home  not  mine." 


AGAMEMNON. 


Clior.  0  thou  most  wretched,  yet  again  most  wise : 
Long  hast  thou  spoken,  lady,  but  if  well 
Thou  know'st  thy  doom,  why  to  the  altar  go'st  thou, 
Like  heifer  driven  of  God,  so  confidently?  l  I9W 

Cass.  For  me,  my  friends,  there  is  no  time  to  'scape.8 

Chor.  Yea ;  but  he  gains  in  time  who  comes  the  last. 

Cass.  The  day  is  come  :  small  gain  for  me  in  flight. 

CJior.  Know    then    thou  sufferest  with  a  heart  ful] 
brave. 

Cass.  Such  words  as  these  the  happy  never  hear. 

Chor.  Yet  mortal  man  may  welcome  noble  death. 

Cass.  [Shrinking  back  from  opening  the  dvor.~]    Woe'a 
me'for  thee  and  thy  brave  sons,  my  father !  * 

Chor.  What  cometh  now  ?  What  fear  oppres*eth  thee  ? 

Cass.  [Again  going  to  the  door  and  then  shuddering  in 
another  burst  of  frenzy."]  Fie  on't,  fie  ! 

Chor.  Whence  comes  this  "Fie?"  unless  from  mind 
that  loathes  ?  [lzw 

Cass.  The  house  is  tainted  with  the  scent  of  death. 

Chor.  How  so  ?  This  smells  of  victims  on  the  hearth. 

Cass.  Nay,  it  is  like  the  blast  from  out  a  grave. 

Chor.  No  Syrian  ritual  tell'st  thou  for  our  house.* 

Cass.  Well  then  I  go,  and  e'en  within  will  wail 
My  fate  and  Agamemnon's.     And  for  me, 
Enough  of  life.     Ah,  friends !  Ah  !  not  for  nought 
I  shrink  in  fear,  as  bird  shrinks  from  the  brake.6 
When  I  am  dead  do  ye  this  witness  bear, 
When  in  revenge  for  me,  a  woman,  Death 
A  woman  smites,  and  man  shall  fall  for  man 

(1)  When  the  victim,  instead  of  shrinking  and  struggling1,  went,  as  with 
good  courage,  to  the  altar,  it  was  noted  as  a  sign  of  divine  impulse.    Such 
a  strange,  new  courage  the  Chorus  notices  in  Cassandra. 

(2)  Possibly, 

"  My  one  escape,  my  friends,  is  but  delay." 

(3)  The  implied  thoughts  of  the  words  is  that  Priam  and  his  sons, 
though  they  had  died  nobly,  were  yet  misei  able,  and  not  happy. 

(4)  The  ftyriau  ritiial  had,  it  would  seem,  become  proverbial  for  ita 
lavish  use  of  frankincense  and  other  -pices. 

(5)  The  close  parallel  of  Shakspeare's  Henry  VI.,  Act.  v.  so.  6,  is  worth 
quoting— 

"  The  bird  that  hath  beon  limed  in  o  bush. 
With  trembling  eyes  inisdoublelh  every  bush." 


AGAMEMNON.  233 


In  evil  wedlock  wed.     This  friendly  office, 
As  one  about  to  die,  I  pray  you  do  me. 

Chor.  Thy  doom  foretold,  poor  sufferer,  moves  my  pity. 

Casa.  I  fain  would  speak  once  more,  yet  not  to  wail 
Mine  own  death-song  ;  but  to  the  Sun  I  pray, 
To  his  last  rays,  that  my  avengers  wreak 
Upon  my  hated  murderers  judgment  due 
For  me,  who  die  a  slave's  death,  easy  prey. 
Ah,  life  of  man  !  when  most  it  prospereth, 

*  It  is  but  limned  in  outline  ;l  and  when  brought 

To  low  estate,  then  doth  the  sponge,  full  soaked,  nw 

Wipe  out  the  picture  with  its  frequent  touch : 
And  this  I  count  more  piteous  e'en  than  that.* 

[Passes  through  the  door  into  the  palace. 
Chor.  'Tis  true  of  all  men  that  they  never  set 
A  limit  to  good  fortune ;  none  doth  say, 
As  bidding  it  depart, 

*  And  warding  it  from  palaces  of  pride, 

"  Enter  thou  here  no  more." 
To  this  our  lord  the  Blest  Ones  gave  to  take 

Priam's  city  ;  and  he  comes 
Safe  to  his  home  and  honoured  by  the  Gods; 

But  if  he  he  now  shall  pay 
The  forfeit  of  blood-guiltiness  of  old, 
And,  dying,  so  work  out  for  those  who  died, 
By  his  own  death  another  penalty,  UM 

Who  then  of  mortal  men, 
Hearing  such  things  as  this, 
Can  boast  that  he  was  born 
With  fate  from  evil  free  ? 
Agam.  \Jrom,  within.']  Ah,    me!    I  am  struck  down 

with  deadly  stroke. 
Chor.  Hush  !     Who  cries  out  with  deadly  stroke  sore 

smitten  ? 

Agam.  Ah  me,  again !  struck  down  a  second  time !  [Dies. 
U)  The  older  reading  gives — 

"A  shadow  might  o'erturn  it." 

(2)  Her  own  doom,  hard  as  it  wis,  touches  her  less  than  the  common 
Lot  of  human  suli'eiiug  and  mutability. 


334  AGAMEMNON. 


Chor.  By  the  king's  groans  I  judge  the  deed  is  done; 
But  let  us  now  confer  for  counsels  safe.1 

Chor.  a.  I  give  you  my  advice  to  summon  here, 
Here  to  the  palace,  all  the  citizens.  un 

Chor.  6.  I  think  it  best  to  rush  at  once  on  them, 
And  take  them  in  the  act  with  sword  yet  wet. 

Chor.  c.  And  I  too  give  like  counsel,  and  I  vote 
For  deed  of  some  kind.     'Tis  no  time  to  pause. 

Chor.  d.  Who  will  see,  may. — They  but  the  prelude 

work 
Of  tyranny  usurped  o'er  all  the  State. 

Chor.  e.  Yes,  we  are  slow,  but  they  who  trample  down 
The  thought  of  hesitation  slumber  not. 

Chor.  f.  I  know  not  what  advice  to  find  or  speak : 
He  who  can  act  knows  how  to  counsel  too. 

Chor.  g.  I  too  think  with  thee ;  for  I  have  no  hope 
With  words  to  raise  the  dead  again  to  lifu. 

Chor.  h.  What !  Shall  we  drag  our  life  on  and  submit 
To  these  usurpers  that  defile  the  house  ? 

Chor.  i.  Nay,  that  we  cannot  bear  :  To  die  were  better; 
For  death  is  gentler  far  than  tyranny. 

Chor.  k.  Shall  we  upon  this  evidence  of  groans 
Guess,  as  divining  that  our  lord  is  dead  ? 

Cher.  I.  When    we    know    clearly,   then    should    we 

discuss : 
To  guess  is  one  thing,  and  to  know  another. 

Chor?  So  vote  I  too,  and  on  the  winning  side, 
Taking  the  votes  all  round  that  we  should  learn 
How  he,  the  son  of  Atreus,  fareth  now. 

Enter  CLYT^MNESTRA  from  the  palace,  in  roles  with 
stains  of  blood,  followed  l>y  soldiers  and  attendants. 
The  open  doors  show  the  corpses  of  AGAMEMNON 
and  CASSANDRA,  the  former  lying  in  a  silvered 
bath. 

Clytcem.  Though  many  words  before  to  suit  the  time 

(1)  So  far  the  dialogue  hns  been  sustained  by  the  Coryphreos,  or  leader 
of  (he  Chorus.    Now  each  member  of  it  speaks  and  gives  his  counsel. 

(2)  The  Coryphueos  again  takes  up  his  part,  sums  up,  and  pronounce! 
bis  decision,. 


AGAMEMNON.  83$ 


Were  spoken,  now  I  snail  not  be  ashamed 

The  contrary  to  utter :  How  could  one 

By  open  show  of  enmity  to  foes 

"Who  seemed  as  friends,  fence  in  the  snares  of  death 

Too  high  to  be  o'erleapt  ?    But  as  for  me, 

Not  without  forethought  for  this  long  time  past, 

This  conflict  comes  to  me  from  triumph  old l 

Of  his,  though  slowly  wrought.      I  stand  where  I         iWI 

Did  smite  him  down,  with  all  my  task  well  done, 

So  did  I  it,  (the  deed  deny  I  not,) 

That  he  could  nor  avert  his  doom  nor  flee : 

I  cast  around  him  drag-net  as  for  fish, 

"With  not  one  outlet,  evil  wealth  of  robe  : 

And  twice  I  smote  him,  and  with  two  deep  groans 

He  dropped  his  limbs :  And  when  ho  thus  foil  down 

I  gave  him  yet  a  third,  thank-offering  true2 

To  Hades  of  the  dark,  who  guards  the  dead. 

So  fallen,  he  gasps  out  his  struggling  soul, 

And  breathing  forth  a  sharp,  quick  gush  of  blood, 

He  showers  dark  drops  of  gory  rain  on  me,  1Wf 

Who  no  less  joy  felt  in  them  than  the  corn, 

When  the  blade  bears,  in  glad  shower  given  of  God, 

Since  this  is  so,  ye  Argive  elders  here, 

Ye,  as  ye  will,  may  hail  the  deed,  but  I 

Boast  of  it.     And  were't  fitting  now  to  pour 

Libation  o'er  the  dead,3  'twere  justly  done, 

Yea  more  than  justly;  such  a  goblet  full 

Of  ills  hath  he  filled  up  with  curses  dire 

At  home,  and  now  has  come  to  drain  it  off. 

Chor.  W  e  marvel  at  the  boldness  of  thy  tongue,        137° 
Who  o'er  thy  husband's  corpse  speak'st  vaunt  like  this. 

(1)  i.e.  He  had  had    his  triumph  over  her  when,   forgetful  of   her 
mother's  feelings,  he  had.  sacrificed  Iphigeneia.    fcihe  has  now  repaid  him 
to  the  full. 

(2)  The  third  libation  at  all  feasts  was  to  Zeus,  as  the  Preserver  ol 
Guardian  Deity.    Clj-t8Rmnestra  boas's  that  her  third  blow  was  as  an 
ottering  to  a  God  of  other  kind,  to  Him  who  hud  in  his  keeping  not  the 
living,  but  the  dead. 

(3)  So  in  the  Choephori,  (w.  351,  476,)  the  custom  of  pouring  libations 
on  the  burial-place  of  the  dead  is  recognised  as  an  element  of  their  blessed- 
ness or  shame  in  Hades,  and  Agamemnon  is  represented  as  lacking  the 
honour  which. oomen  iroui  them  till  he  mxaves  it  at  the  baud  ui'uieB'.ei. 


AGAMEMNON. 


Chjtcem.  Ye  test  me  as  a  woman  weak  of  mind; 
But  I  with  dauntless  heart  to  you  that  know 
Say  this,  and  whether  thou  dost  praise  or  blame, 
Is  all  alike  :— here  Agamemnon  lies, 
My  husband,  now  a  corpse,  of  this  right  hand, 
As  artist  just,  the  handiwork  :  so  stands  it. 

STBOPHE. 

Chor.  What  evil  thing,  0  Queen,  or  reared  on  earth, 

Or  draught  from  salt  sea-wave  18M 

Hast  thou  fed  on,  to  bring 

Such  incense  on  thyself,1 

A  people's  loud-voiced  curse  ? 

'Twas  thou  did'st  sentence  him, 

'Twas  thou  did'st  strike  him  down ; 

But  thou  shalt  exiled  be, 
Hated  with  strong  hate  of  the  citizens. 
Clytcem.  Ha !  now  on  me  thou  lay'st  the  exile's  doom, 
My  subjects'  hate,  and  people's  loud-voiced  curse, 
Though  ne'er  did'st  thou  oppose  my  husband  there, 
Who,  with  no  more  regard  than  had  been  due 
To  a  brute's  death,  although  he  called  his  own. 
Full  many  a  fleecy  sheep  in  pastures  bred, 
Yet  sacrificed  his  child,  the  dear-loved  fruit  *"* 

Of  all  my  travail-pangs,  to  be  a  charm 
Against  the  winds  of  Thrakia.     Should' st  thou  not 
Have  banished  him  from  out  this  land  of  ours, 
As  meed  for  all  his  crimes  ?    Yet  hearing  now 
My  deeds,  thou  art  a  judge  full  stern.     But  I 
Tell  thee  to  speak  thy  threats,  as  knowing  well 
I  am  prepared  that  thou  on  equal  terms 
Should'st  rule,  if  thou  dost  conquer.     But  if  God 
Should  otherwise  decree,  then  thou  shalt  learn, 
Late  though  it  be,  the  lesson  to  be  wise. 

(1)  Tncense  was  placed  on  the  head  of  the  victim.  The  Chorns  tells 
Chj^fenmestra  that  she  has  brought  upon  her  own  head  the  incense,  not  oi 
pi-aise  niul  admiration,  but  of  hatred  and  wrath  as  though  some  poison 
Ltul  driven  her  mad. 


AGAMEMNON. 


AXTISTBOPHB. 

Chor.  Yea,  thou  art  stout  of  heart,  and  speak'st  big 
words ;  1*uo 

And  maddened  is  thy  soul 

As  by  a  murderous  hate ; 

And  still  upon  thy  brow 

Is  seen,  not  yet  avenged, 

The  stain  of  blood- spot  foul ; 

And  yet  it  needs  must  be, 

One  day  thou,  reft  of  friends, 
Shalt  pay  the  penalty  of  blow  for  blow. 
Clytcem.  Now  hear  thou  too  my  oaths  of  solemn  dread : 
By  my  accomplished  vengeance  for  my  child, 
By  At£  and  Erinnys,  unto  whom 
I  slew  him  as  a  victim,  I  look  not 
That  fear  should  come  beneath  this  roof  of  mine, 
So  long  as  on  my  hearth  .^Egisthos  kindles  **** 

The  flaming  fire,  as  well  disposed  to  me 
As  he  hath  been  aforetime.     He  to  us 
Is  no  slight  shield  of  stoutest  confidence. 
There  lies  he,  [pointing  to  the  corpse  of  AGAMEMNON,]  one 

who  foully  wronged  his  wife, 
The  darling  of  the  Chryse'ids  at  Tro'ia ; 
And  there  [pointing  to  CASSANDRA]  this  captwe  slave,  thia 

auguress, 

His  concubine,  this  seeress  trustworthy, 
*  Who  shared  his  bed,  and  yet  was  as  well  known 
To  the  sailors  as  their  benches !  .  .  .  They  have  fared 
Not  otherwise  than  they  deserved :  for  he 
Lies  as  you  see.     And  she  who,  like  a  swan,1 
Has  chanted  out  her  last  and  dying  song,  iao 

(1)  The  species  of  swan  referred  to  is  said  to  be  in  the  Oygnus  Mtisicus. 
Aristotle  (Hist.  Anim.  ix.  12)  describes  swans  of  some  kind  as  having 
been  heard  by  sailors  near  the  coast  of  Libya,  "singing  with  a  lamentable 
cry."  Mrs.  Someryille  (Phys.  Geog.,  c.  xxxiii.  3)  describes  their  note  as 
"like  that  of  a  violin."  The  same  fact  is  reported  or  the  swans  of 
Iceland  and  other  regions  of  the  far  North.  The  strange,  tender  beauty 
of  the  passage  in  the  P/ia>iio  of  Plato,  (p.  85,  a,)  which  speaks  of  them 
ns  singing  when  at  the  point  of  death,  has  done  more  than  anything 
else  to  moke  the  illustration  one  of  the  commonplaces  of  rhetoric  and 
poetry 


AGAMEMNON. 


Lies  close  to  him  she  loved,  and  so  has  brought 
The  zest  of  a  new  pleasure  to  my  bed. 

STEOPH.  L1 

CTwr.  Ah  me,  would  death  might  come 
Quickly,  with  no  sharp  throe  of  agony, 
Nor  long  bed-ridden  pain, 
Bringing  the  endless  sleep ; 
Since  he,  the  watchman  most  benign  of  all, 

Hath  now  been  smitten  low, 
And  by  a  woman's  means  hath  much  endured, 
And  at  a  womaa's  hand  hath  lost  his  life  1 

STUOPH.  H. 
Alas  !  alas !  0  Helen,  evil-souled,  *** 

Who,  though  but  one,  hast  slain 
Many,  yea,  very  many  lives  at  Tro'ia.* 

***** 

STBOPH.  IH. 
*  But  now  for  blood  that  may  not  be  washed  out 

*  Thou  hast  to  full  bloom  brought 
*A  deed  of  guilt  for  ever  memorable, 

For  strife  was  in  the  house, 

"Wrought  out  in  fullest  strength, 

Woe  for  a  husband's  life. 

STBOPH.  IV. 
Clytcem.  Nay,  pray  not  thou  for  destiny  of  death, 

Oppressed  with  what  thou  see'st ; 
Nor  turn  thou  against  Helena  thy  wrath, 

As  though  she  murderess  were, 
And,  though  but  one,  had  many  Dana'i's  souls 
Brought  low  in  death,  and  wrought  o'erwhelming  woe. 

ANTISTBOPH.  L 
Chor.  O  PC  wer  that  dost  attrck 

(1)  The  structure  of  the  lyrical  dialogue  that  follows  is  rather  compli- 
cated, and  different  editors  have  adopted  different  arrangements.    I  hav« 
followed  Paley's. 

(2)  Several  lines  seem  to  have  dropped  out  by  some  accident  of  traa- 
•cription. 


AGAMEMNON.  239 


Our  palace  and  the  two  Tantalidae,1 

*And  dost  through,  women  wield 

*A  might  that  grieves  my  heart  1* 
And  o'er  the  body,  like  a  raven  foul, 

Against  all  laws  of  right, 
*Standing,  she  boasteth  in  her  pride  of  heart  * 
That  she  can  chant  her  paean  hymn  of  praise.  MM 

ANTISTBOPH.  IV. 
Clytcem.  Now  thou  dost  guide  aright  thy  speech  and 

thought, 

Invoking  that  dread  Power, 
*The  thrice-gorged  evil  genius  of  this  house ; 

For  he  it  is  who  feeds 

In  the  heart's  depth,  tffis  raging  lust  of  blood : 
Ere  the  old  wound  is  hsaled,  new  bloodshed  comes. 

STEOPH.  V. 

CJior.        Yes,  of  a  Power  thou  tell'st 
*Mighty  and  very  wrathful  to  this  house ; 
Ah  me  !  ah  me  !  an  evil  tale  enough  ***• 

Of  baleful  chance  of  doom, 

Insatiable  of  ill : 

Yet,  ah  !  it  is  through  Zeua, 
The  all-appointing  and  all-working  One ; 

For  what  with  mortal  men 

Is  wrought  apart  from  Zeus  ? 
What  of  all  this  is  not  by  God  decreed  P* 

STBOPH.  VL 

Ah  me  !  ah  me  I 
My  king,  my  king,  how  shall  I  weep  for  thee  P 

(1)  Agamemnon  and  Henelaos,  as  descended  fram  Tantalos,  the  father 
of  Pclops. 

(2)  In  each  case  women,  Helen  and  Clytsemnestra,  had  been  the  •uncon- 
scious instruments  of  the  Divine  Nemesis,  to  which  the  Chorus  traces  the 
ruin  of  the  house  of  Atreus. 

(3)  Or,  with  another  reading,— 

"  He  (»c.  the  avenging  Demon)  boasteth  in  his  pride  of  heart." 
(4^  It  is  characteristic   of  the  teacliing  of  ^Eschylos  that  the  Chorus 
posses  from  the  thought  of  the  agency  of  any  lower  Power  to  the  supiem» 
Will  ul  Zeua. 


24O  AGAMEMNON. 


What  shall  I  speak  from  heart  that  truly  loves  f 

And  now  thou  lie'st  there,  breathing  out  thy  life,         lfll 

In  impious  deed  of  death, 

In  this  fell  spider's  web,— 

STBOPH.  VII. 

(Yes,  woe  is  me !  woe,  woe  I 
Woe  for  this  couch  of  thine  dishonourable  !)— 

Slain  by  a  subtle  death,1 
With  sword  two -edged  which  her  right  hand  did  •wield. 

STBOPH.  VTTL 

Clytcem.  Thou  speak' st  big  words,  as  if  the  deed  were 
mine; 

Yet  think  thou  not  of  me, 

As  Agamemnon's  spouse ; 
But  in  the  semblance  of  this  dead  man's  wife, 
The  old  and  keen  Avenger  of  the  house 
Of  Atreus,  that  cruel  banqueter  of  old, 

Hath  wrought  out  vengeance  full 

On  him  who  lieth  here,  "* 

And  full-grown  victim  slain 

Over  the  younger  victims  of  the  past.* 

ANTISTEOPH.  V. 

Chor.  That  thou  art  guiltless  found 
Of  this  foul  murder  who  will  witness  bear  P 
How  can  it  be  so,  how  ?    And  yet,  perchance, 

As  helper  to  the  deed, 

Might  come  the  avenging  Fiend 

Of  that  ancestral  time ; 
And  in  this  rush  of  murders  of  near  kin 

Dark  Ares  presses  on, 

Where  he  will  vengeance  work 
For  clotted  gore  of  children  slain  as  food.  M* 

(1)  Or,  "  Dyingr,  Rs  dies  a  slave." 

(2)  ClytJBmnestra  still  harps  (though  in  ambiguous  •words,  which  may 
refer  also  to  the  murder  of  the  children  of  Thyestes)  upon  the  death  01 
Iphigeneia  aa  the  crime  which  it  had  been  her  work  to  avenge. 


AGAMEMNON.  24! 


AJTTISTBOPH.  VL 
All  me  !  ah  me  ! 

My  ting,  my  king,  how  shall  I  weep  for  thee  t 
What  shall  I  speak  from  heart  that  truly  loves  P 
And  now  thou  lie'st  there,  breathing  out  thy  life, 
In  impious  deed  of  death, 
In  this  fell  spider's  web, — 

AJTTISTBOPH.  VTL 

(Yes,  woe  is  me !  woe,  woe  1 
Woe  for  this  couch  of  thine  dishonourable  !)— 

Slain  by  a  subtle  death, 
With  sword  two-edged  which,  her  right  hand  did  wield* 

AJTTISTBOPH.  VHL 
Clytcem.  Nay,  not  dishonourable 

His  death  doth  seem  to  me  : 

Did  he  not  work  a  doom, 

In  this  our  house  with  guile  ?*  *•" 

Mine  own  dear  child,  begotten  of  this  man, 
Iphigeneia,  wept  with  many  a  tear, 
He  slew ;  now  slain  himself  in  recompense, 

Let  him  not  boast  in  Hell, 

Since  he  the  forfeit  pays, 

Pierced  by  the  sword  in  death, 
For  all  the  evil  that  his  hand  began. 

BTBOPH.  IX. 
Chor.  I  stand  perplexed  in  soul,  deprived  of  power 

Of  quick  and  ready  thought, 

Where  now  to  turn,  since  thus  IB* 

Our  home  is  falling  low. 
I  shrink  in  fear  from  the  fierce  pelting  storm 
Of  blood  that  shakes  the  basement  of  the  house: 

No  more  it  rains  in  drops : 
And  for  another  deed  of  mischief  dire, 

Fate  whets  the  righteous  doom 

On  other  whetstones  still. 

(I)  Pertaj*.  "And  that,  too,  not  a  lUTrt.* 

1 


243  AGAMEMNON. 


ANTJSTBOPH.  n. 

O  Earth  1  0  Earth  !  Oh,  would  thou  had'st  received  me, 

Ere  I  saw  him  on  coush 

Of  bath  with  silvered  walls  thus  stretchod  in  death  I 
"Who  now  will  bury  him,  who  wail  ?    Wilt  thou, 
When  thou  hast  slain  thy  husband,  have  the  heart        uai 
To  mourn  his  death,  and  for  thy  monstrous  deeds 
Do  graceless  grace  ?    And  who  will  chant  the  dirge 

With  tears  in  truth  of  heart, 

Over  our  godlike  chief  ? 

BTBOPH.  X. 
Clytoem.  It  is  not  thine  to  speak ; 

'Twas  at  our  hands  he  fell, 

Yea,  he  fell  low  in  death, 

And  we  will  bury  him,  **• 

Not  with  the  bitter  tears  of  those  who  weep 

As  inmates  of  the  house ; 
But  she,  his  child,  Iphigeneia,  there 
Shall  meet  her  father,  and  with  greeting  kind, 
E'en  as  is  fit,  by  that  swift-flowing  ford, 

Dark  stream  of  bitter  woes, 

Shall  clasp  him  in  her  arms, 

And  give  a  daughter's  kiss. 

ANTISTBOPH.  IX. 

Chor.  Lo !  still  reproach  upon  reproach  doth  come; 
Hard  are  these  things  to  judge: 
The  spoiler  still  is  spoiled, 
The  slayer  pays  his  debt ; 

Yea,  while  Zeus  liveth  through  the  ages,  thia  **** 

Lives  also,  that  the  doer  dree  his  weird ; 

For  this  is  law  fast  fixed. 
Who  now  can  drive  from  out  the  kingly  houM 
The  brood  of  curses  dark  P 
The  race  to  Ate  cleaves. 

ANTMTBOPH.  X. 

Clytcem.  Yes,  thou  hast  touched  with  truth 
That  word  oracular ; 


AGAMEMNON. 


But  I  for  my  part  wish, 

(Binding  with  strongest  oath 
The  evil  daemon  of  the  Pleisthenida,)1 

Though  hard  it  be  to  bear, 
To  rest  content  with  this  our  present  lot ; 
And,  for  the  future,  that  he  go  to  vex 
Another  race  with  homicidal  deaths.  *•* 

Lo  !  'tis  enough  for  me, 

Though  small  my  share  of  wealth, 

At  last  to  have  freed  my  house 
From  madness  that  sets  each  man's  hand  'gainst  each. 

Enter  ^GISTHOS. 

^Egis.  Hail,  kindly  light  of  day  that  vengeance  brings ! 
Now  I  can  say  the  Gods  on  high  look  down, 
Avenging  men,  upon  the  woes  of  earth, 
Since  lying  in  the  robes  the  Erinnyes  wove 
I  see  this  man,  right  welcome  sight  to  me, 
Paying  for  deeds  his  father's  hand  had  wrought.  M* 

Atreus,  our  country's  ruler,  this  man's  father, 
Drove  out  my  sire  Thyestes,  his  own  brother, 
(To  tell  the  whole  truth,)  quarrelling  for  rule, 
An  exile  from  his  country  and  his  home. 
And  coming  back  a  suppliant  on  the  hearth, 
The  poor  Thyestes  found  a  lot  secure, 
Nor  did  he,  dying,  stain  the  soil  with  blood, 
There  in  his  home.     But  this  man's  godless  sire,* 
Atreus,  more  prompt  than  kindly  in  his  deeds, 
On  plea  of  keeping  festal  day  with  cheer, 
To  my  sire  banquet  gave  of  children's  flesn,  "^ 

His  own.     The  feet  and  finger-tips  of  hands 
*  He,  sitting  at  the  top,  apart  concealed ; 
And  straight  the  other,  in  his  blindness  taking 
The  parts  that  could  uot  be  discerned,  did  eat 

(1)  Here  the  genealogy  is  carried  one  step  further  to  Pleisthenea,  the 
fether  of  Tantalos. 

(2)  JEgisthos,    in  his  version  of  the  story,  suppresses  the  adultery 
of  Thyestes  with  the  wife  of  Atreus,  which  led  the  latter  to  his  horribli 
revenga. 


244  AGAMEMNON. 


A  meal  which,  as  thou  see'st,  perdition  worka 

For  all  his  kin.     And  learning  afterwards 

The  deed  of  dread,  he  groaned  and  backward  fell, 

Vomits  the  feast  of  blood,  and  imprecates 

On  Pelops'  sons  a  doom  intolerable, 

And  makes  the  o'erturning  of  the  festive  board, 

With  fullest  justice,  as  a  general  curse, 

That  so  might  fall  the  race  of  Pleisthenes.  1*8 

And  now  thou  see'st  how  here  accordingly 

This  man  lies  fallen ;  I,  of  fullest  right, 

The  weaver  of  the  plot  of  murderous  doom. 

For  me,  a  babe  in  swaddling-clothes,  he  banished 

With  my  poor  father,  me,  his  thirteenth  child ; 

And  Vengeance  brought  me  back,  of  full  age  grown . 

And  e'en  far  off  I  wrought  against  this  man, 

And  planned  the  whole  scheme  of  this  dark  device. 

And  so  e'en  death  were  now  right  good  for  me, 

Seeing  him  into  the  nets  of  Vengeance  fallen. 

Chor.  I  honour  not  this  arrogance  in  guilt, 
.ZEgisthos.    .Thou  confessest  thou  hast  slain 
Of  thy  free  will  our  chieftain  here, — that  thou 
Alone  did'st  plot  this  murder  lamentable ; 
Be  sure,  I  say,  thy  head  shall  not  escape 
The  righteous  curse  a  people  hurls  with  stones. 

JEgisth.  Dost  thou  say  this,  though  seated  on  the  bench 
Of  lowest  oarsmen,  while  the  upper  row 
Commands  the  ship  ? l    But  thou  shalt  find,  though  old, 
How  hard  it  is  at  such  an  age  to  learn, 
When  the  word  is,  '  keep  temper.'     But  a  prison 
And  fasting  pains  are  admirably  apt, 
As  prophet-healers  even  for  old  age. 
Dost  see,  and  not  see  this  ?    Against  the  pricks 
Kick  not,2  lest  thou  perchance  should'st  smart  for  it. 


(1)  The  Image  is  taken  from  the  trireme  with  its  three  benches  fall  of 
rowers.    The  Chorus  is  compared  to  the  men  on  the  lowest,  .tflgisthos  and 
Cljrtsemnestra  to  those  on  the  uppermost  bench. 

(2)  The  earliest  occurrence  of  the  proverb  with  which  we  are  familiar 
through  the  history  of  St.  Paul's  conversion,  Acts  ix.  5,  xxvL  14. 


AGAMEMNON.  145 


Chor.  Thou,  thou,  0  Queen,  when  thy  lord  came  frora 

war, 

While  keeping  house,  thy  husband's  bed  defiling, 
Did'st  scheme  this  death  for  this  our  hero-chief. 

^Eyisth.  These  words  of  thine  shall  parents  prove  of 

tears : 

But  this  thy  tongue  is  Orpheus'  opposite  ; 
He  with  his  voice  led  all  things  on  for  joy, 
But  thou,  provoking  with  thy  childish  cries, 
Shalt  now  be  led  ;  and  then,  being  kept  in  check, 
Thou  shalt  appear  in  somewhat  gentler  mood.  mo 

Chor.  As  though  thou  should'st  o'er  Argives  ruler  be, 
Who  even  when  thou  plotted'st  this  man's  death 
Did'st  lack  good  heart  to  do  the  deed  thyself  ? 

<32yisth.  E'en  so ;  to  work  this  fraud  was  clearly  part 
l<'it  for  a  woman.     I  was  foe,  of  old 
Suspected.     But  now  will  I  with  his  wealth 
See  whether  I  his  subjects  may  command, 
And  him  who  will  not  hearken  I  will  yoke 
In  heavy  harness  as  a  full-fed  colt, 
Nowise  as  trace-horse ; l  but  sharp  hunger  joined 
With  darksome  dungeon  shall  behold  him  tamed.         1CS* 

Chor.  Why  did'st  not  thou  tLea,  coward  as  thou  art, 
Thyself  destroy  him  ?  but  a  woman  with  thee, 
Pollution  to  our  land  and  our  land's  Gods, 
She  slew  him.     Does  Orestes  see  the  light, 
Perchance,  that  he,  brought  back  by  Fortune's  grace, 
May  for  both  these  prove  slayer  strong  to  smite  ? 

^Egisth.  Well,  since  thou  think'st  to  act,  not  merely  talk, 
Thou  shalt  know  clearly  .... 

[Calling  his  Guards  from  the  palace. 
On  then,  my  troops,  the  time  for  deeds  is  come. 

Chor.  On  then,  let  each  man  grasp  his  sword  in  hand. 

^Egisth.  With  sword  in  hand,  I  too  shrink  not  from 
death.  ISJB 

Chor.  Thou  talkest  of  thy  death  ;   we  hail  the  word ; 
A.nd  make  our  own  the  fortune  it  implies. 

(1)  The  trace-horse,  as  not  under  the  pressure  of  the  collar,  was  taken 
W  the  type  of  free,  those  that  wore  the  yoke,  of  enforced  submission. 


246  AGAMEMNON. 


Clytcem.  Nay,  let  us  not  do  other  evil  deeds, 
Thou  dearest  of  all  friends.     An  ill-starred  harvest 
It  is  to  have  reaped  so  many.     Enough  of  woe  : 
Let  no  more  blood  be  shed :    Go  thou — [to  the  Chorus}— 

go  ye, 

Ye  aged  sires,  to  your  al.otted  homes, 
Ere  ye  do  aught  amiss  and  dree  your  weird  : 
*  This  that  we  have  done  ought  to  have  sufficed ; 
But  should  it  prove  we've  had  enough  of  ills, 
We  will  accept  it  gladly,  stricken  low 
In  evil  doom  by  heavy  hand  of  God. 
This  is  a  woman's  counsel,  if  there  be 
That  deigns  to  hear  it. 

jEgisth.  But  that  these  should  fling 

The  blossoms  of  their  idle  speech  at  me,  ** 

And  utter  words  like  these,  so  tempting  Fate, 
And  fail  of  counsel  wise,  and  flout  their  master  ....  I 

Chor.  It  suits  not  Argives  on  the  vile  to  fawn. 

JEgi&tli.  Be  sure,  hereafter  I  will  hunt  thee  down. 

Chor.  Not  so,  if  God  should  guide  Orestes  back. 

jffgisth.  Eight  well  I  know  how  exiles  feed  on  hopes. 

Chor.  Prosper,  wax  fat,  do  foul  wrong — 'tis  thy  day. 

jEgisth.  Know  thou  shalt  pay  full  price  for  this  thy 
folly. 

Chor.  Be  bold,  and  boast,  like  cock  beside  his  mate. 

Clytcem.   Nay,   care    not  thou  for  these  vain  howl- 
ings;  I 

And  thou  together,  ruling  o'er  the  house, 
Will  settle  all  things  rightly.  {Exeunt, 


CHOEPHOEI, 
THE  LIBATION-POUBEBa 


ARGUMENT. 

It  e*me  to  pass,  after  Agamemnon  had  been  slain,  that  ClytdftHf 
nestra  and  JEgisthos  ruled  in  Argos,  and  all  things  seemed 
to  go  well  with  them.  Orestes,  who  was  heir  to  Agamemnon, 
they  had  sent  aicay  to  the  care  of  Strophios  of  Phokis,  and 
there  he  abode.  Electra  his  sister,  mourned  in  secret  over 
her  father's  death,  and  prayed  for  vengeance,  but  no  avenger 
came.  And  when  Orestes  grew  up  to  man's  estate,  he  went 
to  ask  counsel  of  the  God  at  Delphi,  and  the  God  straitly 
charged  him  to  take  vengeance  on  his  father's  murderers  f 
and  so  he  started  on  his  journey  with  his  trusty  friend 
Pylades,  and  arrived  at  Argos.  And  it  chanced  thct  a 
little  while  before  he  came,  the  Gods  sent  Clyttemnestrc  * 
fearful  dream,  that  troubled  her  soul  greatly ;  and  in  her 
terror  she  bade  Electra  go  with  her  handmaids  to  pour  liba~ 
tions  on  the  tomb  of  Agamemnon,  that  so  she  might  appease 
his  soul,  and  propitiate  the  Powers  that  rult  «wr  ths  dark 
awld  of  the  dead. 


granralis 

OKESTES. 
ELECTHA. 


PYLADM. 


Servant. 

Chorui  (ff  Captive  Women. 


THE  LIBATION-POUREK& 


SCENE. — Argos,  in  front  of  the  palace  of  the  Atreidce. 
The  tomb  of  AGAMEMNOX  (a  raised  mound  of  tartti) 
is  seen  in  the  background. 

Enter  ORESTES  and  PTLADES  from  the  left;  ORESTES 
advances  to  the  mound,  and,  a$  he  speaks,  lays  on  it  a 
lock  of  his  hair. 
Orest.  0  Hermes  of  the  darkness  'neath  the  earth. 

Who  hast  the  charge  of  all  thy  Father's l  sway, 

To  me  who  pray  deliverer,  helper  be  ; 

For  I  to  this  laud  come,  from  exile  come, 

And  on  the  raised  mound  of  this  monument 

I  bid  my  father  hear  and  list.     One  tress, 

Thank-offering  for  the  gifts  that  fed  my  youth, 

To  Inachos  I  consecrate,  and  this 

The  second  as  the  token  of  my  grief ;  * 

(1)  Hermes  is  invoked,  (1.)  as  the  watcher  over  the  souls  of  the  dead  in 
Hades,  and  therefore  the  natural  patron  of  the  murdered  Agamemnon; 
(2.)  as  exercising  an  authority  delegated  by  Zeus,  and  therefore  capable  of 
being,  like  Zeus  himself,  the  deliverer  "and  helper  of  suppliants.     So 
Eleetra,  further  on,  invokes  Hermes  in  the  same  character.    The  line 
may,  however,  be  rendered, 

"Who  stand'st  as  guardian  of  my  father's  house." 

The  three  opening  lines  are  noticeable,  as  having  been  chosen  by  Aristo- 
phanes as  the  special  object  for  his  satirical,  criticism  (Frogs,  1126-1176,) 
abounding  in  a  good  score  of  ambiguities  and  tautologies. 

(2)  The  words  point  to  the  two  symbolic  aspects  of  one  and  the  same 
practice.    In  both  there  are  some  points  of  analogy  with  the  earlier  and 
later  forms  of  the  Nazarite  vow  among  the  Jews.     (l.J  As  being  part  of 
the  body,  and  yet  separable  from  it  without  mutilation,  it  became  the 
representative  of  the  whole  man,  and  as  such  was  the  sign  of  a  votive 
.dedication.    As  early  as  Homer,  it  was  the  custom  for  youths  to  keep  one 
long,  flowing  lock  as  consecrated,  ^nd  when  they  reached  manhood,  they 
<ut  it  off,  and  offered  it  to  the  river-g  d  of  their  country,  throwing  it 
into  the  stream,  as  that   to  which,  directly  and  indirectly,  they  owed 


252  THE    LIBATION-TOURERS. 

For  mine  it  was  not,  father,  being  by, 
Over  thy  death  to  groan,  nor  yet  to  stretch 
My  hand  forth  for  the  burial  of  thy  corpse. 

fAs  he  speaks,  ELECTRA,  followed  by  a  train  of 
captive  women  in  black  garments  bearing  liba- 
tions, wailing  and  tearing  their  clothes,  comet 
forth  from  the  palace. 

What  see  I  now  ?    What  company  of  women 
Is  this  that  comes  in  mourning  garb  attired  ? 
What  chance  shall  I  conjecture  as  its  cause  ? 
Does  a  new  sorrow  fall  upon  this  house  ? 
Or  am  I  right  in  guessing  that  they  bring 
Libations  to  my  father,  soothing  gifts 
To  those  beueath  ?    It  cannot  but  be  so. 
I  think  Electra,  mine  own  sister,  comes, 
By  wailing  grief  conspicuous.     Thou,  0  Zeus, 
Grant  me  full  vengeance  for  my  father's  death, 
And  of  thine  own  good  will  my  helper  be  I 
Come,  Pyiades,  and  let  us  stand  aside, 
That  I  may  clearly  learn  what  means  this  train 
Of  women  offering  prayers.  * 

STBOPH.  I. 

CJior.  Sent  from  the  house  I  come, 
With  quick,  sharp  beatings  of  the  hands  in  grief, 

To  pour  libations  here  ; 
*  And  see,  my  cheeks  with  bloody  marks  are  tracked,1 


their  nurture.  Here  the  offering1  is  made  to  Inachos,  as  the  hero-founder 
of  Argos,  identified  with  the  river  that  bore  his  name.  (2.)  They  shaved 
^heir  head,  wholly  or  in  part,  as  a  token  of  grief,  and  then,  because  true 
grief  for  the  dead  was  an  acceptable  and  propitiatory  offering,  thia 
became  the  natural  offering  for  suppliants  who  offered  their  prayers  at 
the  tombs  of  the  departed.  So  in  the  Aios  of  Sophocles  (v.  1174)  Teucroi 
calls  on  Eurysakes  to  approach  the  corpse  of  his  father,  holding  in  his 
hands  locks  of  his  own  hair,  his  mother's,  and  that  of  Teucros.  In  the 
offe  ing  which  Achilles  makes  over  the  grave  of  Patroolos  of  the  hair 
which  he  had  cherished  for  the  river-god  of  his  fatherland,  Sperchekw, 
We  have  the  union  of  the  two  customs.  Homer,  II.  xxiii.  141-151. 

(1)  After  the  widespread  fashion  of  the  East,  the  handmaids  of  Clyteem- 
nestra  (originiilly  TroTon  cap'ivesl  had  to  rend  their  clothes,  beat  their 
breasts,  and  lacerate  their  faces  till  the  blood  came.  The  higher  civilisa- 
tion of  Solon's  laws  had  forbidden  these  wild,  barbarous  forms  of  grief  at 
«.theos.  Plutarch,  Solon,  p.  164. 


THE    LIBATION-POUB.ERS.  253 

The  new-cut  furrows  which  my  nails  have  made, 
And  evermore  my  heart  is  fed  with  groans ; 

And  folds  of  mantles  tied 

Across  the  breast  are  rent 

To  shreds  and  rags  in  grief, 

*  Marring  the  grace  of  linen  vestments  fair, 

*  Since  we  by  woes  that  shut  out  smiles  are  smitten.      " 

AXTISTBOPH.  I. 

*  Full  clear  a  spectre  came 
That  made  each  single  hair  to  stand  on  end, 

Dream-prophet  of  this  house, 
That  e'en  in  sleep  breathes  out  avenging  wrath. ; 
And  from  the  secret  chamber  cried  in  fear 
A  cry  that  broke  the  silence  of  the  night, 

There,  where  the  women  dwell, 

Falling  with  heaviest  weight ; 

And  those  who  judge  such  dreams 
Told,  calling  God  to  witness,  that  the  souls 
Below   were   wroth   and  vexed  with  those  that  slew 
them.  ** 

BTBOPH.  II. 

On  such  a  graceless  deed  of  grace,  as  charm 
To  ward  off  ill,  (0  Earth  !  O  mother  kind  I) 

A  godless  woman  now 

Sends  me  with  eager  heart ; 
And  yet  I  dread  to  utter  that  same  prayer ; 

What  ransom  has  been  found 

For  blood  on  earth  once  poured  P 

Oh !  hearth  all  miserable  1 
Oh !  utter  overthrow  of  house  and  home  I 
Yea,  mists  of  darkness,  sunless,  loathed  of  men,  * 

Cover  both  home  and  house 

With  its  lords'  blooiy  deaths. 

ANTISTBOPH.  II. 

Yea,  all  the  majesty  that  awed  of  old, 
Unchecked,  unconquered,  irresistible, 


»54  THK    LIBATION-POURERS. 


Thrilling  the  people's  heart 

As  well  as  ears,  is  gone ; 
There  are,  may  be,  that  fear ; 1  but  now  SucceM 

Is  man's  sole  God  and  more  ; 

Yet  stroke  of  Vengeance  swift 

Smites  some  in  life's  clear  day, 
For  some  who  tarry  long  their  sorrows  wait 
In  twilight  dim,  on  darkness'  borderland, 

*  And  some  an  endless  night 
Of  nothingness  holds  fast. 

STBOPH.  TTT. 

Because  of  blood  that  mother  earth  has  drunk, 
The  guilt  of  slaughter  that  will  vengeance  work 

Is  fixed  indelibly ; 

And  Ate,  working  grief, 
Permits  awhile  the  guilty  one  to  wait, 
That  so  he  may  be  full  and  overflow 

*  \Yith  all-devouring  ill. 

ANTISTBOPH.  III. 

For  him  whose  foul  touch  stains  the  marriage  bed" 
No  remedy  avails ;  and  water-streams, 

Though  all  as  from  one  source 

Should  pour  to  cleanse  the  guilt 
*  Of  murder  that  the  sin-stained  hand  defiles, 

*  Would  yet  flow  all  in  vain 

*  That  guilt  to  purify. 

EPODB. 

But  now  to  me,  since  the  high  Gods  have  sent 
A  doom  of  bondage  round  my  city's  walls, 
(For  from  my  father's  home 

(1)  Purposely,    perhaps,    obscure.     They  seem   to  say  that  the  old 
reverence  for  Agamemnon  has  passed  away,  and  instead  of  it  there  in 
only  a  slavish  fear  for  ./Egisthos.    For  the  more  acute,  however,  they 
imply  that  those  who  have  cause  to  fear  are  JEgisthos  and  Clyteemnestra 
themselves. 

(2)  The  words,  in  their  generalising  sententiousness,  refer  specially  to 
Ihe  twofold  crime  of  AJfrwtios  as  an  adulterer  and  murderer.    Then,  in 
the  Epode,  the  Chorus  justify  themselves  for  their  seeming  inconsistency 
in  thus  abhorring  the  guilt,  and  yet  acting  as  instruineats  of  the  Sfuilty  in 
their  attempt*  to  escape  punishment. 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  *S5 

They  have  brought  on  me  fate  of  slavery,) 

Deeds  right  and  wrong  alike 
Have  been  as  things  'twas  meet  I  should  accept, 

Since  this  slave-life  began, 
Where  deeds  are  done  by  violence  and  force,— 

And  I  must  needs  suppress 

*  The  bitter  loathing  of  iny  inmost  heart, 

*  And  now  beneath  my  cloak  I  weep  and  wafl 

*  For  all  the  frustrate  fortunes  of  my  lords.1 

Chilled  through  with  secret  grief. 
Elect.  Ye  handmaids,  ye  who  deftly  tend  this  house, 
Since  ye  are  here  companions  in  my  task 
As  suppliants,  give  me  your  advice  in  this, 
What  shall  I  say  as  these  funereal  gifts    . 
I  pour  ?    How  shall  I  speak  acceptably  ?  * 

How  to  my  father  pray  ?    What  ?    Shall  I  say 
"  I  bring  from  loving  wife  to  husband  loved 
Gifts  " — from  my  mother  ?    No,  I  am  not  bold 
Enough  for  that,  nor  know  I  what  to  speak, 
Pouring  this  chrism  on  my  father's  tomb,' 
Or  shall  I  say  this  prayer,  as  men  are  wont, 
"  Good  recompense  make  thou  to  those  who  bring 
These  garlands,"  yea,  a  gift  full  well  deserved 
By  deeds  of  ill  ?     Or  dumb,  with  ignominy 
Like  that  with  which  he  perished,  shall  I  pour 
Libations  on  the  earth,  and  like  a  man 
That  flings  away  the  lustral  filth,  shall  I 
Throw  down  the  urn  and  walk  with  eyes  not  turned  P  *  * 

(1)  The  mourners  speak,  of  course,  of  Agamemnon  and  Orestes,  not  of 
2Egisthos  and  Clyftemnestra, 

(2)  A  mixture  of  meal,  honey,  and  oil  formed  the  half-liquid  substance 
commonly  used  for  these  funereal  libations.    The  "garlands"  maybe 
•wreaths  of  flowers  or  fillets,  or  the  word  may  be  used  figuratively  for  the 
libation  itself,  as  crowning1  the  mound  in  which  Agamemnon  lay. 

(3)  The  words  point  to  a  strange  Athenian  custom.    When  a  house 
•was  cleansed  of  that  which  defiled  it,  morally  or  physically,  the  filth  was 
carried  in  an  earthen  vessel  to  a  place  where  three  ways  met,  and  the 
worshipper  flung  the  vessel  behind  him,  and  walked  away  without  turning 
to  look  at  it.    To  Klectra's  mind,  the  libation  which  her  mother  sends  is 
equally  unclean,  and  should  be  treated  in  the  same  way.    So  in  Horn.  II. 
i.  314,  the  Argives  purity  themselves,  and  then  cast  the  lustral  water  they 
hare  used  into  the  sea.    Lev.  vi.  11,  gives  us  an  analogous  usage.    Corny*. 
»l*o  Tluxxuilos,  Idyii  xiiv.,  w.  22-OT. 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 


Bo  sharers  in  my  counsels,  O  my  friends; 
A  common  hate  we  cherish  in  the  house  ; 
Hide  nothing  in  your  heart  through  fear  of  man. 
Fate's  doom  firm-fixed  awaits  alike  the  free, 
And  those  in  bondage  to  another's  hand. 
Speak,  if  thou  can'st  a  better  counsel  give.  **• 

Chor.  [laying  their  hands  on  Agamemnon's  tomb."]     Thy 

father's  tomb  as  altar  honouring, 
I,  as  thou  bidd'st,  will  speak  my  heart-thoughts  out  ! 
Elect.  Speak,   then,   as  thou  my  father's  tomb  dost 

honour. 
Chor.  Say,  as  thou  pour'st,  good  words  for  those  that 

love. 

Elect.  "Which  of  my  friends  shall  I  address  as  such  ? 
Chor.  First  then  thyself,  and  whoso  hates  2Egisthos. 
Elect.  Shall  I  for  thee,  as  for  myself,  pray  thus  ? 
Chor.  Now  that  thou'rt  learning,  judge  of  that  thyself. 
Elect.  Whom  shall  I  add  then  to  this  company  ? 
Chor.  Far  though  Orestes  be,  forget  him  not. 
Elect.  Eight  well  is  this:  thou  teachest  admirably. 
Chor.  Then,  for  the  blood-stained  ones  remembering 

say  ..... 
Elect.  What  then?       Explain,  and  teach  my  igno- 

rance.1 
Chor.  That  there  may  come  to  them  some  God  or 

man  .... 

Elect.  Shall  I  "  as  judge  "  or  as  "  avenger  "  say  ? 
Chor.  Say  it  out  plain!    "to  give  them  death  for 

death."  .... 

Elect.  May  prayers  like  these  consist  with  piety  ? 
Chor.  Why  not,  —  a  foe  with  evils  to  requite  ? 
Elect,  [moving  to  the  tomb,  and  pouring  libations  as  eht 

speaks."]  *  O  mightiest  herald  of  the  Gods  on  high 
And  those  below,  O  Hermes  of  the  dark, 
Call  thou  the  Powers  beneath,  and  bid  them  hear 

(1)  Partly  it  is  the  youth  of  Electra  that  seeks  counsel  from  those  who 
hud  more  experience  ;  partly  she  shrinks  taim.  the  responsibility  of  being 
Ui3  Jkai  to  utter  Uie  Innimla 


THE   LIBATION-POURERS.  257 

The  prayers  that  look  towards  my  father's  house ; 

And  Earth  herself,  who  all  things  bringeth  forth,          "* 

Arid  rears  them  and  again  receives  their  fruit. 

And  I  to  human  souls  libations  pouring, 

Say,  calling  on  my  father,  "  Pity  me  ; 

How  shall  we  bring  our  dear  Orestes  home  P  " 

For  now  as  sold  to  ill  by  her  who  bore  us, 

We  poor  ones  wander.     She  as  husband  gained 

.ZEgisthos,  who  was  partner  in  thy  death  ; 

And  I  am  as  a  slave,  and  from  his  wealth 

Orestes  now  is  banished,  and  they  wax 

Full  haughty  in  the  wealth  thy  toil  had  gained,  *" 

And  that  Orestes  hither  with  good  luck 

May  come,  I  pray.     Hear  tliou  that  prayer,  my  father  I 

And  to  myself  grant  thou  that  I  may  be 

Than  that  my  mother  wiser  far  of  heart, 

Holier  in  act.     For  us  this  prayer  I  pour; 

And  for  our  foes,  my  father,  this  I  pray, 

That  Justice  may  as  thine  avenger  come, 

And  that  thy  murderers  perish.    Thus  I  place 

Midway  in  prayer  for  good  that  now  I  speak, 

My  prayer  'gainst  them  for  evil.     Be  thou  then 

The  escort1  of  these  good  things  that  I  ask,  **• 

With  help  of  Gods,  and  Earth,  and  conquering  Justice. 

With  prayers  like  these  my  votive  gifts  I  pour ; 

And  as  for  you  [turning  to  the  Chorus}  'tis  meet  with,  cries 

to  crown 
The  paean  ye  utter,  •wailing  for  the  dead. 

STKOPH. 
Chor.  *  Pour  ye  the  pattering  tear, 

*  Falling  for  fallen  lord, 

*  Here  by  the  tomb  that  shuts  out  good  and  ill,— 
Here,  where  the  full  libations  have  been  poured 
That  turn  aside  the  curse  men  deprecate, 

(1)  The  word  "escort"  has  a  special  reference  to  the  function  of 
Hermes  in  the  unseen  world.  As  lie  was  wont  to  act  as  guide  to  th« 
souls  of  the  dead  in  their  downward  journey,  so  now  Eleclra  prays  that 
he  may  lead  the  blessings  she  asks  lor  upward  from  the  dark  depth*  a! 

a  * 


258  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 

Hear  me,  0  Thou  my  Dread,  "• 

Hear  thou,  0  Sire,  the  words  my  dark  mind  speaks  I 

ANTISTBOPHK. 

Oh,  woe  is  me,  wee,  woe ! 
Woe,  woe,  and  woe  is  me  I 
*  What  warrior  strong  of  spear 
Shall  come  the  house  to  free, 
Or  Ares  with  his  Skythian  bow1  in  hand, 
Shaking  its  pliant  strength  in  deeds  of  war, 
*  Or  guiding  in  encounter  closer  yet 

The  weapons  made  with  hilts  ? 
[During  the  choral  ode  ELECTRA,  after  going  in  tfa 
mound,  and  pouring  the  libations  on  it,  .-eturns 
holding  in  her  hands   the  lock  of  hair  which 
ORESTES  had  left  there. 
Elect.  The  gifts  the  earth  hath  drunk,  my  father  hath. 

them: 

Now  this  new  wonder  come  and  share  with  me. 
Chor.  Speak  on,  my  heart  goes  pit-a-pat  with  fear, 
Elect.  There  OK  the  tomb  I  see  this  lock  cut  off. 
Chor.  What  man  or  maid  low-girdled  can  it  claim  ? 
Elect.  Full  easy  this  for  any  one  to  guess. 
Chor.  Old  as  I  am,  may  I  from  younger  learn  ? 
Elect.  None  but  myself  could  cut  olf  lock  like  this. 
Chor.  Yea,  foes  are  they  that  should  with  grief-locks 

mourn. 

Elect.  Yes,  surely,  'tis  indeed  the  self  same  hair  .  .  . 
Chor.  But  as  what  tresses  ?    This  I  seek  to  know. 

Elect.  And  of  a  truth  'tis  very  like  to  ours 

Cltor.  Did  then  Orestes  send  this  secret  gift  ?  * 

f  1)  The  Skythian  bow,  long  and  elastic,  bending  either  way,  like  thos* 
of  the  Arabians,  (Herod,  vii.  69.)  The  connexion  of  Ares  with  Ihe  wild, 
fierce  tribes  of  Thrakia  and  Skyihia  meets  us  again  and  again  in  th« 
literature  of  Greece.  He  was  the  only  God  to  whom  they  built  temples, 
(Ibid.,  iv.  69.1  They  sncrificed  human  victims  to  an  iron  sword  as  hia 
moi'b  appropriate  symbol,  (iv.  62.)  The  use  of  iron  for  weapons  of  war 
e<une  to  the  Greeks  from  them,  (Seven  ag.  Th.  729 ;  Prom.  714.) 

(2)  It  may  be  worth  while  to  compare  the  me  hods  adopted  by  the 
three  dramatists  of  Greece  in  bringing  about  the  recognition  of  the 
brother  by  the  sis'er.  (1.)  Here  the  lock  of  hair  in  itspeculiar  colour  and 
texture,  resembling  her  own,  followed  by  the  likeness  of  ins  CoeUteyi  to 


THE    LIBATION-POUREKS.  259 

Elect.  It  is  most  like  those  flowing  locks  of  his.          1H 

Chor.  Yet  how  had  he  adventured  to  come  hither  ? 

Elect.  He  to  his  father  sent  the  lock  as  gift. 

Chor.  Not  less  regretful  than  before,  thy  words, 
If  on  this  soil  his  foot  shall  never  tread. 

Elect.  Yea,  on  me  too  there  rushed  heart-surge  of  gall; 
And  I  was  smitten  as  with  dart  that  pierced ; 
And  from  mine  eyes  there  fell  the  thirsty  drops 
That  pour  unchecked,  of  this  full  bitter  flood, 
As  I  this  lock  beheld.     How  can  I  think 
That  any  other  townsman  owns  this  hair  ?  ** 

Nay,  she  who  slew  ....  she  did  not  cut  it  off, 
My  mother  ....  who  towards  her  children  shows 
A  godless  mood  that  little  suits  the  name ; 
And  yet  that  I  should  this  assert  outright, 
The  precious  gift  is  his  whom  most  of  men 

I  love,  Orestes Nay,  hope  flatters  me. 

Alas !  alas ! 

Would,  herald-like,  it  had  a  kindly  voice  I 

So  should  I  not  turn  to  and  fro  in  doubt ; 

But  either  it  had  told  me  with  all  clearness 

To  loathe  this  tress,  if  cut  from  hated  head ;  *• 

Or,  being  of  kin,  had  sought  to  share  my  grief, 

To  deck  the  tomb  and  do  my  father  honour. 

Chor.  Well,  on  the  Gods  we  call,  on  those  who  know 
In  what  storms  we,  like  sailors,  now  are  tossed : 
But  if  deliverance  may  indeed  be  ours, 


hers,  prepares  the  way  first  for  vagne  anticipations,  and  then  the  robe  she 
had  made  for  him,  leads  to  her  acceptance  of  Orestes  on  his  own  discovery 
of  himself.  To  this  it  has  been  objected,  by  Euripides  in  the  first 
instance,  (Electra,  w.  462-500),  that  the  evidence  of  the  colour  of  the  hair 
is  weak,  that  a  young  man's  foot  must  have  been  larger  than  a  maiden's, 
an  1  that  he  could  not  have  worn  as  a  man  the  garment  she  had  made  for 
him  as  a  child.  It  might  be  replied,  perhaps,  that  there  are  such  things 
as  hereditary  resemblances  extending  to  the  colour  of  the  half  and  the 
arch  of  the  instep,  and  that  the  robe  may  either  have  been  shown  instead 
oi'wom,  or,  being  worn,  have  been  adapted  for  the  larger  growth.  (2.) 
In  the  Electra  of  Sophocles  the  lock  of  hair  alone  convinces  Chryso- 
themis  that  her  brother  is  near  at  hand,  (v.  900. )  while  Electra  herself 
rmuires  the  further  evidence  of  Agamemnon's  seal,  (v.  1223.)  In  Kuri- 
11  ides,  (v.  527,)  all  proof  faiU  till  Orestes  shows  a  scar  on  bis  brow,  which 
his  tiister  remembers. 


t6O  THE   LIBATION-POURERS. 

From  a  small  seed  a  mighty  trunk  may  grow.1 

Elect.  Here  too  are  foot-prints  as  a  second  proof, 
Just  like  ....  yea,  close  resembling  those  of  mine. 
For  here  are  outlines  of  two  separate  feet, 
His  own  and  those  of  fellow-traveller,  *• 

And  all  the  heels  and  impress  of  the  feet, 
"When  measured,  fit  well  with  my  footsteps  here  ...» 
Pangs  come  on  me,  and  sore  bewilderment. 

[As  she  ceases  speaking  ORESTES  comes  forward  from 
his  concealment. 

Orest.  Pray,  uttering  to  the  Gods  no  fruitless  prayer, 
For  good  success  in  what  is  yet  to  come. 

Elect.  What  profits  now  to  me  the  Gods'  good  will  ? 

Orest.  Thou  see'st  those  here  whom  most  thou  did'st 
desire. 

Elect.  Whom  called  I  on,  that  thou  hast  knowledge  of? 

Orest.  Eight  well  I  know  how  thou  dost  prize  Orestes. 

Elect .  In  what  then  find  I  now  my  prayers  fulfilled  ?  21° 

Orest.  Behold  me !     Seek  no  dearer  friend  than  I ! 

Elect.  Nay,  stranger,  dost  thou  weave  a  snare  for  me  ? 

Orest.  Then  do  I  plot  my  schemes  against  myself. 

Elect.  Thou  seekest  to  make  merry  with  my  grief. 

Orest.  With  mine  then  also,  if  at  all  with  thine, 

Elect.  Art  thou  indeed  Orestes  that  I  speak  to  ? 

Orest.  Though  thou  see'st  him,  thou'rt  slow  to  learn 

'tis  I; 

Yet  when  thou  saw'st  this  lock  of  mourner's  hair, 
And  did'st  the  toot-prints  track  my  feet  had  made, 
Agreeing  with  thine  own,  as  brother's  true, 
Then  did'st  thou  deem  in  hope  thou  looked' st  on  me.     aw 
Pit  then  this  lock  where  it  was  out,  and  see ; 
See  too  this  woven  robe,  thine  own  hands'  work, 


(1)  The  saying  is  probably  one  of  the  wide-spread  proverbs  which 
Imply  parables.  The  idea  is  obvit  usly  that  with  which  we  are  lamiliar 
n  the  Gospel  "g:ain  of  mustard  seed."  Here,  as  in  the  "kicking 
against  the  pricks"  of  Acts  ix.  5,  xxvi.  14,  and  Agam.  v.  1604,  we  are 
carried  back  to  a  period  which  lies  beyond  the  range  of  history  as  that  in 
which  men  took  note  of  the  analogies  and  embodied  them  in  forms  like 
this. 


THE   LIBATION-POUREB.S.  26l 

The  shuttle's  stroke,  and  forms  of  beasts1  of  chase. 

[ELECTKA  starts,  as  if  about  to  cry  aloud  for  joy. 
Restrain  thyself,  nor  lose  thy  head  for  joy : 
Our  nearest  kin,  I  know,  are  foes  to  us. 

Elect,  [emlracing  ORESTES]   Thou  whom  thy  father's 

house  most  loves,  most  prays  for, 
Our  one  sole  hope,  bewept  with  many  a  tear, 
Of  issue  that  shall  work  deliverance  ! 
Thine  own  might  trusting,  thou  thy  father's  house 
Shalt  soon  win  back.     O  pleasant  fourfold  name  1 
I  needs  must  speak  to  thee  as  father  dear ; a 
The  love  I  owe  my  mother  turns  to  thee, 
(She  with  full  right  to  me  is  hateful  now,) 
My  sister's  too,  who  ruthlessly  was  slain  ; 
And  thou  wast  ever  faithful  brother  found, 
And  one  whom  I  revered.    May  Might  and  Eight, 
And  sovran  Zeus  as  third,  my  helpers  be  ! 

Orest.  Zeus  1  Zeus  !  be  Thou  a  witness  of  our  troubles, 
See  the  lorn  brood  that  calls  an  eagle  sire, 
Eagle  that  perished  in  the  coils  and  folds  **° 

Of  a  fell  viper.     Now  on  them  bereaved 
Presses  gaunt  famine.     Not  as  yet  full-grown 
Are  they  to  bring  their  father's  booty  home. 
Thus  it  is  thine  to  eee  in  me  and  her, 
(I  mean  Electra)  children  fatherless, 
Both  suffering  the  same  exile  from  our  home. 

Elect.  And  should' st  Thou  havoc  make  of  brood  of  sire 
Who  at  thine  altar  greatly  honoured  Thee, 
Whence  wilt  Thou  get  a  festive  offering 
From  hand  as  free  ?   Nor,  should' st  Thou  bring  to  nought 
The  eagle's  nestlings,  would'st  thou  have  at  hand  ** 

A  messenger  to  bear  thy  will  to  man 
In  signs  persuasive ;  nor  when  withered  up 
This  royal  stock  shall  be,  will  it  again 
Wait  on  thine  altars  at  high  festivals : 

(1)  So  in  the  Odyssey,   (xix.  228,)   Odyiseua  appears  an  wearing  a 
woollen  cloak,  on    which  are  embroidered  the  figures  of  a  fawn  and 
a  dog. 

(2)  An  obvious  reproduction  of  the  words  of  Andromache,  (II.  vi.  4519.) 


262  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 


Oh,  bring  it  back,  and  then  Thou  too  wilt  raise 
From  low  estate  a  lofty  house,  which  now 
Seems  to  have  fallen,  fallen  utterly. 

Chor.  Ah,  children !  saviours  of  your  father's  house, 
Hush,  hush,  lest  some  one  hear  you,  children  dear, 
And  for  mere  talking's  sake  report  all  this 
To  those  that  rule.     Ah,  would  I  might  behold  them 
Lie  dead  'midst  oozing  fir-pyre  blazing  high  ! l  ** 

Orest.  Nay,  nay,  I  tell  you,  Loxias'  oracle, 
In  strength  excelling,  will  not  fail  us  now, 
That  bade  me  on  this  enterprise  to  start, 
And  with  clear  voice  spake  often,  warning  me 
Of  chilling  pain-throes  at  the  fevered  heart, 
Unless  my  father's  murderers  I  should  chase, 
Bidding  me  kill  them  in  the  self-same  fashion, 
Stirred  by  the  wrongs  that  pauperise  my  life, 
And  said  that  I  with  many  a  mischief  ill 
Should  pay  for  that  fault  with  mine  own  dear  life. 
For  making  known  to  men  the  charms  earth-born         *" 
*  That  soothe  the  wrathful  powers,1  he  spake  for  us 
Of  ills  as  follows,  leprous  sores  that  creep 
All  o'er  the  flesh,  and  as  with  cruel  jaws 
Eat  out  its  ancient  nature,  and  white  hairs8 
On  that  foul  ill  to  supervene :  and  still 
He  spake  of  other  onsets  of  the  Erinnyes, 
As  brought  to  issue  from  a  father's  blood ; 

(1)  The  words  seem  to  imply  that  burning  alive  was  known  among  the 
Greeks  as  a  punishment  for  the   more  atrocious  crimes.     The  "oozingf 
pitch,"   if  we  adopt  that    rendering,  apparently  describes    something 
like   the    "tunica  molesta"    of  Juvenal.      (Sat.    viii.    235.)      Hesyohios 
(g.  y.  Kwj'iJTcu)  mentions  the  practice  as  alluded  to  in  a  lost  play  of 
2Eschylos. 

(2)  The  words  are  both  doubtful  and  obscure.     Taking  the  rendhv? 
which  I  have  adopted,  they  seem  to  mean  that  while  men  in  general  Iwd 
means  of  propitiating  the  Erinn  es  and  other  Powers  for  the  ff«ilt  of 
Unavenged  bloodshed,    Orestes  and  Electra  Ivid  no  such  wny  of  escape 
open  to  them.    If  they,  the  next  of  kin,  failed  to  do  their  work,  they 
would  be  exposed  to  the  full  storm  of  wrath.    But  a  conjectural  emenda- 
tion of  one  word  gives  us, 

"  For  making  known  to  men  the  earth-born  ills 

That  come  from  wrathful  rowers." 

fS)  Either  that  old  age  would  come  prematurely,  or  that  the  hair  itself 
in  raid  share  the  leprous  whiteness  of  the  flush. 


THE    LIBAT1ON-POURERS.  263 

For  the  dark  weapon  of  the  Gods  below 

Winged  by  our  kindred  that  lie  low  in  death., 

And  beg  for  vengeance,  yea,  and  madness  too, 

And  vague,  dim  fears  at  night  disturb  and  haunt  me, 

*Seeing  full  clearly,  though  I  move  my  brow 1 

In  the  thick  darkness  ....  and  that  then  my  frame, 

Thus  tortured,  should  be  driven  from  the  city 

With  brass-knobbed  scourge  :  and  that  for  such  as  I 

It  was  not  given  to  share  the  wine-cup's  taste, 

Nor  votive  stream  in  pure  libation  poured ; 

And  that  my  father's  wrath  invisible 

Would  drive  me  from  all  altars,  and  that  none 

Should  take  me  in,  or  lodge  with  me ;  at  last, 

That,  loathed  of  all  and  friendless,  I  should  die, 

A  wretched  mummy,  all  my  strength  consumed. 

Must  I  not  trust  such  oracles  as  these  ? 

Yea,  though  I  trust  not,  must  the  deed  be  done ;  ** 

For  many  motives  now  in  one  converge, — 

The  God's  command,  great  sorrow  for  my  father  ; 

My  lack  of  fortune,  this,  too,  urges  me 

Never  to  leave  our  noble  citizens, 

With  noblest  courage  Troia's  conquerors, 

To  be  the  subjects  to  two  women  thus ; 

Yea,  his  soul  is  as  woman's : 2  an'  it  be  not, 

He  soon  shall  know  the  issue. 

Chor.  Graut  ye  from  Zeus,  0  mighty  Destinies  1 

That  so  our  work  may  end 

As  Justice  wills,  who  takes  our  side  at  last ;  *°* 

Now  for  the  tongue  of  bitter  hate  let  tongue 

(1)  The  words,  as  taken  in  the  text,  refer  to  Orestes  seeing  even  in 
Bleep  the  spectral  forms  of  the  Kriimyes.  By  some  editors  the  vetse  is 
placed  alter  v.  276,  and  th_  lines  then,  reart  thus  : — 

"  And  that  he  c  ills  J'resh  onsets  of  the  Erinnyes 
As  brou.ffht  to  issue  from  a  father's  blood, 
Seeing  clearly,  though  he  move  his  brow  in  darkness." 

So  taken,  the  last  line  refers  to  Agamemnon,  who,  though  in  the  daik- 
ness  of  Hades,  sees  the  penalties  which  will  fall  upon  his  son  shoulJ 
he  neglect  to  take  vengeance  on  his  father's  murderers. 

(•2)  Stress  is  laid  here,  as  in  Agam.  1224,  on  the  effeminacy  of  tha 
adulterer. 


204  THE   LIBATION-POURERS. 

Of  bitter  hate  be  given.     Loud  and  long 

The  voice  of  Vengeance  claiming  now  her  debt; 

And  for  the  murderous  blow 
Let  him  who  slew  with  murderous  blow  repny. 
"  That  the  wrong-doer  bear  the  wrong  he  did/' 
Thrice- ancient  saying  of  a  far-off  time,1 

This  speaketh  as  we  speak. 

STEOPH.  L 
Orest.  0  father,  sire  ill-starred, 

What  deed  or  word  could  1 
Waft  from  afar  to  thee, 

Where  thy  couch  holds  theo  now5,  ** 

*To  be  a  light  with  dark  commensurate  ? 

Alike,  in  either  case, 

The  •wail  that  tells  their  praise  is  welcome  gift 
To  those  Atreidse,  guardians  of  our  house. 

STROPH.  IL 

Chor.  My  child,  my  child,  the  mighty  jaws  of  fire* 
Bind  not  the  mood  and  spirit  of  the  dead ! 
But  e'en  when  that  is  past  he  shows  his  wrath. 
When  he  that  dies  is  wailed, 
The  murderer  stands  revealed : 
The  righteous  cry  for  parents  that  begat, 
To  fullest  utterance  roused, 
Searches  the  whole  truth  out. 

ANTISTBOPH.  I. 

Elect,  Hear  then,  O  falher,  now 
Our  tearful  griefs  in  turn ; 
From  us  thy  children  twain 
The  funeral  wail  ascends ; 

(1)  The  grreat  law  of  retribution  is  repented  from  Agim.  i!W4.    An  one 
Of  the  earliest  utterances  of  man's  moral  sense,  it  was  referred  populaily 
among'  the  Greeks  to  Rlmdamanthos,  who  with  Minns  judged  the  souls  of 
the  dend  in  Hades.    Comp.  Aristot.  F.thic.  Aicom.,  v.  8. 

(2)  The  funeral  pyre,  which  consumes  the  body,  leaves  the  life  and 
power  of  the  man  untouched.    The  spirit  survives,  and  calls  on  the  Gods 
that  dwell  in  darkness  to  avenge  him.     The  very  cry  of  wailing  tends,  a* 
a  prayer  to  them,  tc  the  exposure  of  the  murderer. 


THE   LIBATION-POURERS.  265 

And  we,  as  suppliants  and  as  exiles  too, 

Find  shelter  at  thy  tomb. 

What  of  all  this  is  good,  what  void  of  ills  ?  m 

Is  not  this  now  a  woe  invincible  ? 

Cher.  Yet,  even  yet,  from  evils  such  as  these, 
God,  if  He  will,  may  bring  more  pleasant  strains: 
And  for  the  dirge  we  utter  by  tha  tomb, 
A  paean  in  the  royal  house  may  raise 
Welcome  to  new-found  friend. 

STBOPH.  TTT. 

Orest.  Had'st  thou  beneath  the  walls 
Of  Ilion,  0  my  sire, 
Been  slain  by  Lykian  foe,1 
Pierced  through  and  through,  with  spear, 
Leaving  high  fame  at  home, 
And  laying  strong  and  sure 
*Thy  children's  paths  in  life, 
Then  had'st  thou  had  as  thine 
Par  off  across  the  sea 
A  mound  of  earth  heaped  high, 
To  all  thy  kith  and  kin  endurable. 
ANTISTBOPH.  H. 

Chor.  Tea,  and  as  friend  with  friend* 
That  nobly  died,  he  then 
Had  dwelt  in  high  estate 
A  sovereign  ruler,  held 
Of  all  in  reverence, 
High  in  their  train  who  rule 
Supreme  in  that  dark  world ;  ** 

For  he,  too,  while  he  lived, 
As  monarch  ruled  o'er  those 
Whose  hands  the  sceptre  held 
That  mortal  men  obey.2 

(1)  TTie  Lykians,  of  whom  Glaucos  and  Sarpedon  are  tlie  representative 
heroes  in  the  Iliad,  are  named  as  the  chief  allies  of  the  Trcians. 

(2)  The  words  embody  the  widespread  feeling  that  the  absence  of 
funereal  honours  affected  the  spiri   01  the  dead,  and  that  the  souls  with 
whom  he  dwelt  held  him  in  high  or  low  esteem  according  as  they  b*"*  been 
given  or  withheld. 


166  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 


ANTISTBOPH.  IIL 
Elect.  Not  even  'neath  the  walls 

Of  Troia,  O  my  Sire, 

"With  those  the  spear  hath  slain, 

Would  I  have  had  thee  lie 

By  fair  Scamandros'  stream : 

No,  this  my  prayer  shall  be 

That  those  who  slew  thee  fall, 

*By  their  own  kin  struck  down,  •* 

That  one  might  hear  far  off, 

Untried  by  woes  like  this, 
The  fate  that  brings  inevitable  death. 

Chvr.  Of  blessings  more  than  golden,  0  my  child, 
Greater  than  greatest  fortune,  or  the  bliss 
Of  those  beyond  the  North l  thou  speakest  now ; 

For  this  is  in  thy  grasp ; 
But  hold  ;  e'en  now  this  thud  of  double  scourge* 

Finds  its  way  on  to  him ; 
Already  these  find  helpers  'neath  the  earth, 
But  of  those  rulers  whom  we  loathe  and  hate 

Unholy  are  the  hands :  *" 

And  children  gain  the  day. 

STBOPH.  IV. 

Elect .  Ah !  this,  like  arrow,  pierces  through  the  ear  I 
0  Zeus !  O  Zeus  !  who  seridest  from  below 

A  woe  of  tardy  doom 

Upon  the  bold  and  subtle  hands  of  men  .  .  •  .  . 
Nay,  though  they  parents  be, 
Yet  all  shall  be  fulfilled. 

(1)  Pindar,  (Pytfi.  x.  47,)  the  contemporary  of  .TFsehylos,  nafl  mafle  the 
Dune  of  these  Hyperborei  well  known  to  all  Greeks.     The  vague  dreams 
of  men,  before  the  earth  had  been  searched  out,  pictured  a  happy  land 
as  lying  beyond  their  reach.    There  were  Islands  of  the  Blest  in  the  far 
West;    Ethiopians,  peaceful   and  long-lived,  in    the  South;   and  far 
». way,  beyond  the  cold  North,  a  people  exempt  from  the  common  evils 
of   humanity.     The  latter   have   been  connected  with  the  old  Aryan 
belief  in  the  paradise  of  Mount  Hern.     Comp.  also  Herod,  iv.  421; 
Prom.  812. 

(2)  Se.,  the  beating  of  both  hands  upon  the  breast,  a*  the  Chore* 
oUei-ed  their  LuneiiUtiooi. 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  267 

STBOPH.  V. 

Chor.  May  it  be  mine  to  chant  o'er  funeral  pyra 
*Cry  well  accordant  with  the  pine-fed  blaze,1 
When  first  the  man  is  slain, 
And  his  wife  perisheth !  ** 

"Why  should  I  hide  what  flutters  round  my  heart  ? 
On  my  heart's  prow  a  blast  blows  mightily, 
Keen  wrath  and  loathing  fierce. 

ANTISTROPH.  IV. 

Orest.  And  when  shall  Zeus,  the  orphan's  guardian  true, 
Lay  to  his  hand  and  smite  the  guilty  heads  ? 

So  may  our  land  learn  faith  ! 

Vengeance  I  claim  from  those  who  did  the  wrong.         *• 
Hear  me  0  Earth,  and  ye, 
*  Powers  held  in  awe  below ! 

Chor.  Tea,  the  law  saith  that  gory  drops  once  shed 
Upon  the  ground  for  yet  more  blood  should  crave ; 
*For  lo !  fell  slaughter  on  Erinnys  calls, 
To  come  from  those  that  perished  long  ago, 
And  on  one  sorrow  other  sorrow  bring. 

STBOPH.  VI. 

Elect.  *Ah,  ah,  0  Earth,  and  Lords  of  those  below  1 
Behold,  ye  mighty  Curses  of  the  slain, 
Behold  the  remnant  of  the  Atreidse's  house 

Brought  to  extremest  strait,  ** 

Bereaved  of  house  and  home  ! 
Whither,  O  Zeus,  can  any  turn  for  help  ? 

ANTISTBOPH.  V. 

Chor.  Ah,  my  fond  heart  is  quivering  in  dismay, 
*Hearing  this  loud  lament  most  lameatable : 
Now  have  I  little  cheer, 
And  blackened  is  my  heart, 
*Hearing  that  speech ;  but  then  again  when  hope 

(1)  Perhaps,  simply  "  the  sharp  and  bitter  cry."  But  the  rendering  la 
the  text  seems  justified  as  repeating  the  wish  already  expressed,  (v.  SGiiJ 
Uiiit  Uiu  murderers  may  die  by  this  form  of  death. 


Zti  THE   LIBATION-POUfcERS. 

*0n  strength  uplifts  me,  far  it  drives  my  grief, 
^Propitious  seen  at  last. 

ANTISTROPH.  VL 

Orest.  What  could  we  speak  more  fitly  than  the  woes    M 
We  suffer,  yea,  and  from  a  parent's  hands  ? 
Well,  she  may  fawn ;  our  mood  remains  unsoothed; 
For  like  a  wolf  untamed, 
We  from  our  mother  take 
A  wrathful  soul  that  to  no  fawning  yields. 

STBOPH.  VIL 

Chor.  *I  strike  an  Arian  stroke,  and  in  the  strain 

Of  Kissian  mourner  skilled,1 

Ye  might  have  seen  the  stretching  forth  of  hands, 
With  rendings  of  the  hair,  and  random  blows, 

In  quick  succession  given, 
Dealt  from  above  with  arm  at  fullest  length, 
And  with  the  beating  still  my  head  is  stunned,  ** 

Battered  and  full  of  woe. 
Elect.  0  mother,  hostile  found,  and  daring  all  1 

With  burial  as  of  foe 
Thou  had'st  the  heart  a  ruler  to  inter, 

His  citizens  not  there, 
A  spouse  unwept,  with  no  lamentings  loud. 

STBOPH.  VIII. 

Orest .  Ah !  thou  hast  told  the  whole  full  tale  of  shame ; 
Shall  she  not  pay  then  for  that  outrage  dire 

Unto  my  father  done, 

So  far  as  Gods  prevail, 

So  far  as  my  hands  work  ? 
May  it  be  mine  to  srxite  her  and  then  die !  *" 

(t)  The  Chorus  at  this  point  renew  their  words  and  cries  of  lamenta- 
tion, smiting  on  their  breas's.  By  some  critics  Ibis  speech  and  Anti- 
stroph.  VTI.  are  assigned  to  Electra,  Antistroph.  Vin.  to  the  Chorus,  with 
a  corresponding  change  in  the  pronouns  "  my  "  and  "  thy."  The  Chorus, 
ns  consisting  cf  Troiian  captives,  is  represented  as  adopting  the  mora 
•»«hement  Asiatic  forms  of  wailing.  Among  these  the  Arians,  Kissians, 
and  Mariandynians  (Pera.,  9'2tt)  seem  to  have  been  most,  conspicuous  for 
their  skill  in  lamentation,  and,  its  such,  were  in  request  where  hired 
mourners  were  wanted.  Compare  the  opening  chorus,  T.  22. 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  269 

A-VTISTBOPU.  VTL 

Chor.  Yea.  he  was  maimed ! l  (that  thou  the  tale  may' at 

know) 
And  as  she  slaughtered,  so  she  buried  him, 

Seeking  to  work  a  doom 
For  thy  young  life  all  unendurable. 
Now  thou  dost  hear  the  woes 
Thy  father  suffered,  stained  with  foulest  shamo. 

AsmsTBOPE.  VIIL 
Elect.  Thou  tellest  of  my  father's  death,  but  I 

Stood  afar  off,  contemned, 
Counted  as  nought,  and  like  a  cursed  hound 
Shut  up  within,  I  poured  the  tide  of  tears 

(More  ready  they  than  smiles) 

Uttering  in  secret  wail  of  weeping  full.  ** 

Hear  thou  these  things,  and  write  them  in  my  mind. 

Chor.  Let  the  tale  pierce  thine  ears, 
While  thy  soul  onward  moves  with  tranquil  step : 

So  much,  thou  know'st,  stands  thus ; 
Seek  thou  with  all  desire  to  know  the  rest; 

'Tis  meet  to  enter  now 
Within  the  lists  with  mind  inflexible. 

STBOPH.  IX. 

Orest.  I  bid  thee,  0  my  father,  help  thy  friends. 
Elect.  Bitterly  weeping,  these  my  tears  I  add. 
Chor.  With  full  accord  so  cries  our  company. 

Come  then  to  light,  and  hear ;  *** 

Be  with  us  'gainst  our  foes. 

AimsTttOPH.  IX. 

Orest.  My  Might  their  Might,  my  Eight  their  Eight 

must  meet. 
Elect.  *Ye  Gods,  give  righteous  issue  in  our  cause. 

(1)  The  practice  of  mutilating  the  corpse  of  a  murdered  man  by  cutting 
oft  his  hands  and  feet  and  fastening  them  round  his  waist,  seems  to  have 
been  looked  on  as  rendering  him  powsrless  to  seek  for  vengeance.  Comp. 
Soph.  Eltct.,  v.  437.  This  kind  of  mutilation,  and  Dot  mere  wanton 
ouifogd,  la  rfhat  the  Chorus  refer  to. 


27°  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 

Chor.  Fear  creeps  upcn  mo  as  I  hear  your  prayers. 
Long  tarries  destiny, 
But  comes  to  those  who  pray. 

STEOPH.  X. 

Semi-CJior.  A.  Oh,  woe  that  haunts  the  race, 
And  harsh,  shrill  stroke  of  Ate's  bloody  scourge  I 

Woes  sad  and  bard  to  bear,  *" 

Calling  for  wailing  loud, 
Ah,  woe  is  rue,  a  grief  immedicable. 

AXTISTROPH.  X. 

Semi-Chor.  B.  Tea,  but  as  cure  for  this, 
And  henling  salve,  'tis  yours  with  your  own  hands, 
With  no  help  from  without, 
*To  press  your  suit  of  blood ; 
So  runs  our  hymn  to  those  great  Gods  below. 

Chor.  Yea,  hearing  now,  ye  blest  Ones  'neath  the  earth, 
This  prayer,  send  ye  your  children  timely  help 
That  worketh  victory. 

Orest.  0  sire,  who  in  no  kingly  fashion  died'st,  *** 

Hear  thou  my  prayer ;  grant  victory  o'er  this  house. 

Elect.  I,  father,  ask  this  prayer,  that  I  may  work 
*.ZEgisthos'  death,  and  then  acquittal  gain. 

Orest.  Yea,  thus  the  banquets  that  men  give  the  dead 
Would  for  thee  too  be  held,  but  otherwise 
*Dishonoured  wilt  thou  lie  'mid  those  that  feast,1 
Robbed  of  thy  country's  rich  burnt-offerings. 

Elect.  I  too  from  out  my  father's  house  will  bring 
Libations  from  mine  own  inheritance, 
As  marriage  offerings.     Chief  and  first  of  all, 
Will  I  do  honour  to  this  sepulchre.  [*• 

Orest.  Set  free  my  sire,  0  Earth,  to  watch  the  battle. 

(1)  Asin  v.  351  the  loss  ofthonr«nr  among  the  dead  wag  represented  n 
one  consequence  of  the  absence  of  funereal  rites  from  those  who  loved  ih* 
dead,  so  here  the  restoration  of  1he  children  to  their  rights  appears  as  tha 
condition  without  which  that  dishonour  must  continue.  If  they  succeed, 
then,  and  then  only,  can  they  offer  funereal  banquets,  year  by  year,  5* 
was  the  custom.  There  may  be  a  special  reference  to  an  Arjrive  custom 
mentioned  by  Plutarch  ( Qmi-st.  Gra-c.,  c.  24)  of  sacrificing  immediately  aftet 
the  death  of  a  relative  to  Ap  Ho,  and  thirty  iluya  later  to  liermea. 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 


Elect.  0  Persephassa,  goodly  victory  grant  ! 

Oreat.  Semember,  sire,  the  bata  in  which  they  slew 
thee! 

Elect.  *Remember  thou  the  net  they  handselled  so  I 

Orest.  In  fetters  not  of  brass  wast  thou  snared,  father. 

Elect.  Yea,  basely  with  that  mantle  they  devised. 

Orest.  Art  thou  not  roused  by  these  reproaches,  father  ? 

Elect.  Dost  thou  not  lift  thine  head  for  those  thou  lov'st  ? 

Orest.  Or  send  thou  Vengeance  to  assist  thy  friends  ; 
Or  let  them  get  like  grasp  of  those  thy  foes, 
If  thou,  o'ercome,  dost  wish  to  conquor  them.  *" 

Elect.  And  hear  thou  this  last  prayer  of  mine,  my 

father, 

Seeing  us  thy  nestlings  sitting  at  thy  tomb, 
Have  mercy  on  thy  boy  and  on  thy  girl  ; 
Nor  blot  thou  out  tho  seed  of  Pelopids  : 
So  thou,  though  thou  hast  died,  art  yet  not  dead; 
For  children  are  the  voices  that  preserve 
Man's  memory  when  he  dies  :  so  bear  the  net 
The  corks  that  float  the  flax-mesh  from  the  deep. 
Hear  thou  :  This  is  our  wailing  cry  for  thee, 
And  thou,  our  prayer  regarding,  sav'st  thyself.  wo 

(7Aor.  Unblained  have  ye  your  utterance  lengthened 

out, 

Amends  for  that  his  tomb's  unwept-for  lot. 
ifut  as  to  what  remains,  since  thou'rt  resolved 
To  act,  act  now  ;  make  trial  of  thy  Fate. 

Orest.  So  shall  it  be.     Yet  'tis  not  out  of  course 
To  ask  why  she  libations  sent,  why  thus 
Too  late  she  cares  for  ill  she  cannot  cure  ? 
Yea,  to  a  dead  man  heeding  not  'twas  sent, 
A  sorry  offering.     Why,  I  fail  to  guess  : 
The  gifts  are  far  too  little  for  the  fault  ;  ** 

For  should  a  man  pour  all  he  has  to  pay 
For  one  small  drop  of  blood,  the  toil  were  vain  : 
So  runs  the  saying.     But  if  thou  dost  know, 
Tell  this  to  me  as  wishing  much  to  learn. 

Ciior.  I  know,  iny  child,  lor  I  was  by.     Stirred  OJX 


272  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 

By  dreams  and  -wandering  terrors  of  the  night, 
That  godless  woman  these  libations  sent. 

Orest.  And  have  ye  learnt  the  dream,  to  tell  it  right  P 

Chor.  As  she  doth  say,  she  thought  she  bare  a  snake. 

Onst.  How  ends  the  tale,  and  what  its  outcome  then  P 

Chor.  She    nursed    it,    like    a    child,    in    swaddling 
clothes.  6M 

Orett.  "What  food  did  that  young  monster  crave  for 
then? 

Chor.  She  in  her  drenm  her  bosom  gave  to  it. 

Greet.  How  'scaped  her  breast  by  that  dread  beast 
unhurt  ? 

Chor.  Nay,  with  the  milk  it  sucked  out  clots  of  blood. 

Orest.  Ah,  not  in  vain  comes  this  dream  from  her  lord. 

Chor.  She,  roused  from  sleep,  cries  out  all  terrified, 
And  many  torches  that  were  quenched  in  gloom 
Blazed  for  our  mistress'  sake  within  the  house. 
Then  these  libations  for  the  dead  she  sends, 
Hoping  they'll  prove  good  medicine  of  ills.  ** 

Orest.  Now  to  Earth  here  and  my  sire's  tomb  I  pray, 
They  leave  not  this  strange  vision  unfulfilled. 
So  I  expound  it  that  it  all  coheres  ; 
For  if,  the  self-same  spot  that  I  left  leaving, 
*The  snake  was  then  wra,pt  in  my  swaddling  clothes, 
And  sucked  the  very  brc*st  that  nourished  me, 
And  mixed  tho  sweet  milk  with  a  clot  of  blood, 
And  she  in  terror  wailed  the  strange  event, 
So  must  she,  as  that  monster  dread  she  nourished, 
Die  cruel  death :  and  I,  thus  serpentised, 
Am  here  to  slay  her,  as  this  dream  portends; 
I  take  thee  as  my  dream-interpreter. 

Chor.  So  be  it;  but  in  all  else  guide  thy  friends; 
*Bid  some  do  this,  some  that,  some  nought  at  all. 

Orest.  Simple  my  orders,  that  she  [pointing  t<i  ELECTBA} 

go  within ; 

And  you,  I  charge  you,  hide  these  plans  of  mine, 
That  they  who  slew  a  noble  soul  by  guile, 
By  guilo  may  die  and  in  the  self-same  snare 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 


Be  caught,  as  Loxias  gave  his  oracle, 

The  king  Apollo,  seer  that  never  lied  :  ** 

For  like  a  stranger  in  full  harness  clad 

Will  I  draw  near  with  this  man,  Pyladea, 

To  the  great  gates,  a  stranger  I,  and  he, 

Ally  in  arms.     And  then  we  both  will  speak 

Parnassian  speech,  and  imitate  the  tone 

Of  Phokian  tongue.     And  should  no  porter  there 

Give  us  good  welcome,  on  the  ground  that  now 

The  house  with  ills  is  haunted,  there  we'll  stay, 

So  that  a  man  who  passeth  by  the  house 

Will  guess,  and  thus  will  speak,  "  Why  drives  JEgisthos 

The  suppliant  from  his  gate,  if  he's  at  home  ["* 

And  knows  it  ?  "     But  if  I  should  pass  the  threshold 

Of  the  great  gate,  and  find  him  seated  there 

Upon  my  father's  throne,  or  if  he  comes 

And  meets  me,  face  to  face,  and  lifts  his  eyes, 

And  drops  them,  then  be  sure,  before  he  says, 

"  Whence  is  this  stranger  ?  " — I  will  lay  him  dead, 

With  my  swift-footed  brazen  weapon  pierced ; 

And  then  Erinnys,  stinted  not  in  slaughter, 

Shall  drink  her  third  draught  of  unmingled  blood.1 

Thou,  then,  [to  ELECTRA]  watch  well  what  passes  in  the 

house,  §7B 

So  that  these  things  may  dovetail  close  and  well : 
And  you  [to  the  Chorus']  i  bid  to  keep  a  tongue  discreet, 
Silent,  if  need  be,  or  the  right  word  speaking, 
And  Him2  [pointing  to  the,  statue  of  Apollo'}  I  call  to  look 

upon  me  here, 
Since  he  has  set  me  on  this  strife  of  swords. 

[Exeunt  OHESTES,  PY.LABES,  and  EiECTRA,] 

STBOPH.  I. 

Chor,  Many  dread  forms  of  evils  terrible 
Earth  bears,  and  Ocean's  bays 
With  monsters  wild  and  fierce 

(1)  Another  reference  to  the  third  cup  of  undiluted  wine  which  men 
drank  to  the  honour  of  Zeus  the  Preserver.    Coiup.  Agam.  T.  246. 
(8)  Possibly  the  p.  ououu  refers  to  PyLuioa. 
X 


274  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 


*0'erflow,  and  through  mid-air  the  meteor  lights          ** 

Sweep  by ;  and  winged  birds 
And  creeping  things  can  tell  the  vehement  rage 

Of  whirling  storms  of  winds. 
AXTISTBOPH.  L 

But  who  man's  temper  overbold  may  tell, 

Or  daring  passionate  loves 

Of  women  bold  in  heart, 
Passions  close  bound  with  men's  calamities  P 

Love  that  true  love  disowns, 
That  sways  the  weaker  sex  in  brutes  and  men,  ** 

Usurps  o'er  wedlock's  ties, 
SxBOpn.  n. 
Whoso  is  not  bird-witted,  let  him  think 

What  scheme  she  learnt  to  plan, 
Of  subtle  craft  that  wrought  its  will  by  firo, 
That  wretched  child  of  Thestios,  who  to  slay 

Her  son  did  set  a-blaze 

The  brand  that  glowed  blood-red, 
Which  had  its  birth  when  first  from,  out  the  womb 

He  came  with  infant's  wail, 
And  spanned  the  measure  of  its  life  with  his, 

On  to  the  destined  day.1 

ANTISTBOPH.  IL 
Another,  too,  must  we  with  loathing  name, 

Skylla,  with  blood  defiled.2 
Who  for  the  sake  of  foes  a  dear  one  slew, 

(1)  The  story  of  Althaea  has  recently  been  mado  familiar  to  English 
readers  by  Mr.  Swinburne's  Atalo.nta  in  Calydon.  More  briefly  told,  the 
legend  ran  that  she,  being1  the  wife  of  (Eneus,  bare  a  son,  who  ww« 
believed  to  be  the  child  of  Ares— that  the  Fates  came  to  her  when  the  boy, 
who  was  named  Meleagros,  was  seven  days  old,  and  told  her  1hat  his  life 
should  last  until  the  firebrand  then  burning  on  the  earth  should  be  con- 
sumed. She  took  the  firebrand,  and  quenched  it,  and  laid  it  by  in  a 
chest ;  but  when  Meleagros  grew  up,  he  joined  in  th  •  chase  of  the  great 
boar  of  Calydon,  and  when  he  had  slain  it,  gave  the  skin  as  a  trophy  to 
Atalanta,  and  when  his  mo  her's  brothers,  the  sons  •  f  Thes'ios,  claimed 
it  is  their  right,  he  waxed  wroth  with  them  and  slew  them.  And 
then  Althsea,  ia  her  grieC,  caring  more  for  her  brothers  than  her  son, 
took  Ihe  brand  from  the  chest,  and  threw  it  into  the  fire,  anil  so 
Melengros  died.  Phrynichos  is  said  to  have  made  the  myth  the  subject  11 
a  drama.  In  Homer,  (II.  x.  566,)  Althaea  brings  about  her  son's  death  by 
her  curses. 

I2j  SkyUa  (not  to  be  confounded  with  the  sea-monster  of  Messina)  was 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  275 

Won  by  the  gold-chased  bracelets  brought  from  Crete, 

The  gifts  that  Minos  gave, 

And  knowing  not  the  end, 
Bobbed  Nisos  of  his  lock  of  deathless  life, 

She  with  her  dog-like  heart  *• 

Surprising  him  deep-breathing  in  his  sleep; 

But  Hermes  comes  on  her.1 
STROPH.  IIL 

And  since  I  tell  the  tale  of  ruthless  woes.  .  .  •    * 
Yet  now  'tis  not  the  time 

*  To  tell  of  evil  marriage  which  this  house 

Doth  loathe  and  execrate, 
And  of  a  woman's  schemes  and  stratagems 
Against  a  warrior  chief, 

*  Chiof  whom  his  people  honoured  as  was  meet, 
I  give  my  praise  to  hearth  from  hot  broils  free, 

And  praise  that  woman's  mood 
That  dares  no  deed  of  ill. 

AXTISTROPH.  EEL 

But  of  all  crimes  the  Lemnian  foremost  standa  J*  ** 

*  And  the  Earth  mourns  that  woe 
As  worthy  of  all  loathing.     Yes,  this  guilt 

One  might  have  well  compared 
With  Lemnian  ills ;  and  now  that  race  is  gone. 

To  lowest  shame  brought  down 
By  the  foul  guilt  the  Gods  abominate : 

the  daughter  of  Nisos,  king  of  Megaris,  who  bad  on  his  head  a  lock  of 
jmrple  hair,  which  was  a  charm  that  preserv,  d  his  life  from  all  danger. 
And  the  Cretans  under  Minos  a'  tacked  Nisos,  and  besieged  him  in  big 
city ;  and  Minus  won  the  love  of  Skylla,  and  temp- ed  her  with  gifts,  and 
•iie  cut  off  her  father's  lock  of  hair,  and  so  l,e  perished.  But  Minos, 
ecorning  her  for  her  deed,  bound  her  by  the  feet  to  the  stem  of  bis  aLip 
and  drowned  her. 

(1)  Hermes,  i.e.  in  bis  office  as  the  escort  of  tbe  souls  of  tho  dead  to 
Hades. 

(2)  The  Chorus  apparently  is  represented  as  on  the  point  of  completing 
Its  catalogue  of  crimes  commiifcd  by  women  with  the  story  of  Clvtsem- 
Ees'ra's  guilt.    Some: hing  leads  1  hem  to  check  themselves,  and  they  are 
oon'ented  with  a  dark  and  vague  allusion. 

(3)  The  story  of  the  Lemnian  women  is  told  by  ITerodotos,  (vi.  138.) 
They  rose  up  against  their  husbands  ind  put  them  all  to  death ;  and  the 
deed  passed  in  o  a  proverb,  so  that  all  great  crimes  were  spoken  of  as 

This  guilt  U  tbat  alluded  to  in  Stropb.  111. 


276  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 


For  no  man  honours  -what  the  Gods  condemn, 
Which  instance  of  all  these 
Do  I  not  rightly  urge  ?  1 

STROPH.  IV. 

And  now  the  sword  already  at  the  heart, 
Sharp-pointed,  strikes  a  blow  that  pierces  through, 

While  Vengeance  guides  the  hand ;  ** 

For  lo !  the  lawlessness 
Of  one  who  doth  transgress  all  lawlessly 
The  might  and  majesty  of  Zeus,  lies  not 

As  trampled  under  foot.2 

ANTISTROPH.  TV. 

The  anvil-block  of  Vengeance  firm  is  set, 
And  Fate,  the  sword-smith,  hammers  on  the  bronze 

Beforehand ;  and  the  child 

Is  brought  unto  his  home, 
And  in  due  time  the  debt  of  guilt  is  paid 
By  the  dark-souled  Erinnys,  famed  of  old, 

For  blood  of  former  days. 

ORESTES  and  PYLABES  enter,  disguised  as  Pholtian  travel- 
lers, go  to  the  door  of  the  palace,  and  knock  loudly. 

Orest.  What  ho,  boy !  hear  us  knocking  at  the  gate.  Ml 
Who  is  within,  boy  ?  who,  boy  ? — hear,  again ; 
A  third  time  now  I  give  my  summons  here, 
If  good  .ZEgisthos'  house  be  hospitable. 

[A  Slave  opens  the  door.        ' 

Slave.  Hold,  hold ;  I  hear.     What  stranger  comes,  and 
whence  ? 

Orest.  Tell  thou  thy  lords  who  over  this  house  rule, 
To  whom  I  come  and  tidings  new  report ; 
And  make  good  speed,  for  now  the  dusky  car 
Of  night  comes  on  apace,  and  it  is  time 
For  travellers  in  hospitable  homes 

(1)  In  every  case  of  which  the  Chorus  had  spoken  p-nilt  had  been  fol- 
lowed by  retribution.    60,  it  is  implied,  it  will  be  in  that  which  is  present 
to  their  thoughts. 

(2)  fie.,  is  not  forgotten  or  overlooked,  but  will  assuredly  meet  with  it> 
due  punishment. 


THE    LIBATION-POUKERS.  ±77 

To  cast  their  anchor ;  and  let  some  one  come 
From  out  the  house  who  hath  authority ;  *° 

The  lady,  if  so  be  one  ruleth  here, 
But,  seemlier  far,  her  lord ;  for  than  no  shame 
In  converse  makes  our  words  obscure  and  dim  ; 
But  mau  with  man  gains  courage  to  speak  out, 
And  makes  his  mission  manifest  as  day. 
Enter  CLYT^EHXESTRA. 

Clytcem.  If  ye  need  aught,  0  strangers,  speak ;  for  here 
Is  all  that's  fitting  for  a  hoiise  like  ours  ; 
Warm  baths,1  and  bed  that  giveth  rest  from  toil, 
And  presence  of  right  honest  faces  too  ; 
If  there  be  aught  that  needeth  counsel  more, 
That  is  men's  business,  and  to  them  we'll  tell  it.  teo 

Orest.  A  DauKan  traveller,  from  Phokis  corno, 
Am  I,  and  as  I  went  on  business  bound, 
My  baggage  with  me,  unto  Argos,  I 
(Just  as  I  set  forth,)  met  a  man  I  knew  not, 
Who  knew  not  me,  and  he  then ,  having  asked 
My  way  and  told  me  his,  the  Phokian  Strophios 
(For  so  I  learnt  in  talking)  said  to  me, 
"  Since  thou  dost  go,  my  friend,  for  Argos  bound, 
In  any  case,  tell  those  who  gave  him  birth, 
Kemembering  it  right  well,  Orestes'  death; 
See  thou  forget  it  not,  and  whether  plans  *** 

Prevail  to  fetch  him  home,  or  bury  him 
There  where  he  is,  a  stranger  evermore, 
Bear  back  the  message  as  thy  freight  for  us ; 
For  now  the  ribbed  sides  of  an  urn  of  bronze 
The  ashes  hide  of  one  whom  men  have  wept." 
So  much  I  heard  and  now  have  told ;  and  if 
I  speak  to  kin  that  have  a  right  in  him 
I  know  not,  but  his  father  sure  should  know  it. 

Clytcem.  Ah, .thou  hast' told  how  utterly  our  ruin 
Is  now  complete !     O  Curse  of  this  our  house, 
Full  hard  to  wrestle  with  !     How  many  things,  *M 

(1)  So  in  Homer,  (II.  xxii.  444,)  the  •warm  bath  is  prepared  by  Andro- 
mache fur  Hector  on  bis  r  :tura  from  the  battle  in  wblcfi  be  fait 


2/8  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 

Though  lying  out  of  rea^h,  thou  aimest  at, 
And  with  well-darted  arrows  from  afar 
Dost  bring  them  low  !     And  now  thou  strippest  me, 
Most  wretched  one,  of  all  that  most  I  loved. 
A  lucky  throw  Orestes  now  was  making, 
Getting  his  feet  from  out  destruction's  slough ; 
But  now  the  hope  of  high,  exulting  joy, 
*Which  this  house  had  as  healer,  he  scores  down 
As  present  in  this  fashion  that  we  see. 

Orest.  I  could  have  wished  to  come  to  prosperous  hosts, 
As  known  and  welcomed  for  my  tidings  good ; 
For  who  to  hosts  is  friendlier  than  a  guest  ?  *° 

But  'twould  have  been  as  impious  in  my  thoughts 
Not  to  complete  this  matter  for  my  friends, 
By  promise  bound  and  pledged  as  guest  to  host. 

Clytcbm.  Thou  eh  alt    not  meet  with    less  than  thou 

deserv'st ; 

Nor  wilt  thou  be  to  this  house  less  a  friend; 
Another  would  have  brought  news  all  the  same : 
But  since  'tis  time  that  strangers  who  have  made 
A  long  day's  journey  find  the  things  they  need, 
Lead  him  [to  her  Slave,  pointing  to  OHESTES]  to  these  our 

hospitable  halls, 

And  these  his  fellow-travellers  and  servants:  TOO 

There  let  them  meet  with  what  befits  our  house. 
I  bid  thee  act  as  one  who  gives  account ; 
And  we  unto  the  masters  of  our  house 
Will  tell  this  news,  and  with  no  lack  of  friends 
Deliberate  of  this  calamity.1 

[Exeunt   CLYTVEMNESTEA,  OEESTES,  PYLADES, 
and  Attendants. 

Chor,   Come  then,  handmaids  of  the  palace, 
When  shall  we  with  full-pitched  voices 
Shew  our  feeling  for  Orestes  ? 

fl)  An  in  her  speeches  5n  <he  Agamemnon,  (\v.  595,  884,)  Clytsem- 
nes'ra's  words  here  also  arc  f.ill  of  significant  ambig-ui*y.  The  "  thing* 
that  befit  the  bouse,"  the  proposed  conference  with  JEgisthos,  her 
separation  of  Orestes  from  his  companions,  are  all  indications  of  suspi- 
cion already  half-aroused.  The  last  three  lines  were  probably  spoken  aa 
an  "  aside." 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  279 

O  earth  revered !  thou  height  revered,  too, 

Of  the  mound  piled  o'er  the  body 

Of  our  navy's  kingly  captain,  TI* 

Oh,  hear  us  now ;  oh,  coine  and  help  us ; 

For  'tis  time  for  subtle  Suasion1 

To  go  with  them  to  the  conflict, 

And  that  Hermes  act  as  escort, 

He  who  dwells  in  earth's  deep  darkness, 

In  the  strife  where  swords  work  mischief. 

Enter  KILISSA. 

.  The  stranger  seems  about  to  work  some  ill ; 
And  here  I  see  Orestes'  nurse  in  tears. 
Where  then,  Kilissa,  art  thou  bound,  that  thus 
Thou  tread' st  the  palace-gates,  and  with  thee  comes 
Grief  as  a  fellow-traveller  unbidden  ?  T* 

Kills.  Our  mistress  bids  me  with  all  speed  to  call 
.ZEgisthos  to  the  strangers,  that  he  come 
And  hear  more  clearly,  as  a  man  from  man, 
This  newly-brought  report.     Before  her  slaves, 
Under  set  eyes  of  melancholy  cast, 
She  hid  her  inner  chuckle  at  the  events 
That  have  been  brought  to  pass — too  well  for  her» 
But  for  this  house  and  hearth  most  miserably,— 
As  in  the  tale  the  strangers  clearly  told. 
He,  when  he  hears  and  learns  the  story's  gist, 
Will  joy,  I  trow,  in  heart.     Ah,  wretched  me  I  "• 

How  those  old  troubles,  of  all  sorts  made  up, 
Most  hard  to  bear,  in  Atreus'  palace-halls 
Have  made  my  heart  full  heavy  in  my  breast  I 
But  never  have  I  known  a  woe  like  this. 
For  other  ills  I  bore  full  patiently, 
But  as  for  dear  Orestes,  my  sweet  charge, 
Whom  from  his  mother  I  received  and  nursed  .  •  .  • 
And  then  the  shrill  cries  rousing  me  o'  nights. 
And  manj  and  unprofitable  toils 
For  me  who  bore  them.     For  one  needs  must  rear 

II)  Suasion  is  personified,  and  invoked  to  come  and  win  Clytteumestra 
to  trust  herself  in  the  power  of  the  two  avengers. 


iSo  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 

The  heedless  infant  like  an  animal,  "• 

(How  can  it  else  be  ?)  as  his  humour  serves. 

For  -while  a  child  is  yet  in  swaddling  clothea, 

*  It  speaketh  not,  if  either  hunger  comes, 

Or  passing  thirst,  or  lower  calls  of  need ; 

And  children's  stomach  works  its  own  content. 

And  I,  though  I  foresaw  this,  call  to  mind 

How  I  was  cheated,  washing  swaddling  clothes, 

And  nurse  and  laundress  did  the  self- same  work, 

I  then  with  these  my  double  handicrafts, 

Brought  up  Orestes  for  his  father  de;ir; 

And  now,  woe's  me !  I  learn  that  ho  is  dead, 

And  go  to  fetch  the  man  that  murs  this  house : 

And  gladly  will  he  hear  these  words  of  mine. 

Chor.  And  how  equipped  then  doth  she  bid  him  come? 

Nurse,  '  How  ?  '  Speak  agaiii  that  I  may  better  learn. 

Chor.  By  spearmen  followed,  or  himself  alone  ? 

Nurse.  She  bids  him  bring  his  guards  with  lances  armed. 

Chor.  Nay,  say  not  that  to  him  thy  lord  doth  hate,1. 
But  bid  him  '  come  alone,'  (that  so  he  hear 
Without  alarm,) '  full  speed,  with  joyous  mind,' 
Since  '  secret  speech  with  messengers  goes  best.' 

Nurse.  And  art  thou  of  good  cheer  at  this  my  tale  ? 

Chor.  But  what  if  Zeus  will  turn  the  tide  of  ill  ? 

Nurse.  How  so  ?    Orestes,  our  one  hope  is  gone. 

Chor.  Not  yet ;  a  sorry  seer  miuht  know  thus  much. 

Nurse.  What  say'st  thou  ?     Know'st  thou  aught  be- 
sidos  my  tale  ? 

Chor.  Go  tell  thy  message  ;  do  thine  errand  well  * 
The  Gods  for  what  they  care  for,  care  enough. 

Nurse.  I  then  will  go,  complying  with  thy  words: 
May  all,  by  God's  gift,  end  most  happily ! 

STUOPH.  L 

Chor.  Now  to  my  prayer,  O  Father  of  the  Gods 
Of  high  Olympos,  Zeus, 

(1)  An  alternative  rendering  is, 

"  Nay,  »uy  not  that  to  him  with  show  of  hat*." 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  l8l 

Grant  that  their  fortune  may  be  blest  indeed 
*  Who  long  to  look  on  goodness  prospering  well, 

Tea,  with  full  right  and  truth 
I  speak  the  word — 0  Zeus,  preserve  thou  him  I 

STEOPH.  IL 

Vea,  Zeus,  set  him  whom  now  the  palace  holds, 
Set  him  above  his  foes  ; 
For  if  thou  raise  him  high, 

Then  shalt  thou  have,  to  thy  heart's  full  content, 
Payment  of  two-fold,  three-fold  recompense. 

ANTISTROPH.  I 
Know  that  the  son  of  one  who  loved  thee  well  *" 

*Like  colt  of  sire  bereaved, 
*Is  to  the  chariot  of  great  evils  yoked, 
*And  set  thy  limit  to  his  weary  path. 

*Ah,  would  that  one  might  see 
*His  panting  footsteps,  as  he  treads  his  course, 
*I£eeping  due  measure  through  this  plain  of  ours  I 
STBOPH.  UL 

A  nd  ye  within  the  gate, 

Ye  Gods,  in  purpose  one, 

"Who  dwell  in  shrines  enriched 

"With  all  good  things,  come  ye, 

And  now  with  vengeance  fresh 

Atone  for  murder  foul 

Of  those  that  fell  long  since :  ** 

*And  let  that  blood  of  old, 

*When  these  are  justly  slain, 

Breed  no  more  in  our  house. 

MF.SODE. 
0  Thou J  that  dwellest  in  the  cavern  vast, 

Adorned  with  goodly  gifts, 
Grant  our  lord's  house  to  look  up  yet  once  more, 

And  that  it  now  may  glauce, 

In  free  and  glorious  guise 

(1)  Apollo  in  the  shrine  at  Delphi. 


362  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 

With  loving  kindly  eyes, 
From  out  its  veil  of  gloom. 
Let  Maia's  son  l  too  give 
His  righteous  help,  and  -waft 
Good  end  with  prosperous  gale. 

AKTISTROPH.  m. 

*And  things  thnt  now  are  hid, 
He,  if  he  will,  will  bring 
As  to  the  daylight  clear ; 
But  when  it  pleases  him 
.   Dark,  hidden  words  to  speak, 
As  in  thick  night  he  bears 
Black  gloom  before  his  face ;  * 
Nor  is  he  in  the  day 
One  whit  more  manifest. 

STROPH.  TV. 

*And  then  our  treasured  store,8 
*The  price  as  ransom  paid 
To  free  the  house  from  ill, 
A  woman's  gift  on  breath 
Of  favouring  breeze  onborne, 
We  then  with  clamorous  cry, 
To  sound  of  cithern  sweet, 
Will  in  the  city  pour  ; 
And  if  this  prospers  well, 

*My  gains,  yea,  mine,  'twill  swell,  and  At2  than 
Prom  those  I  love  stands  far. 

ANTISTROPn.  H. 

But  thou,  take  courage,  when  the  time  is  come 
For  action,  and  cry  out, 
Shouting  thy  lather's  name, 

(1)  Hermes  invoked  once  more,  as  at  once  the  patron  of  craft  and  the 
escort  of  the  dead. 

(2)  Or  "  before  our  eyes." 

(3)  The  "treHsured  store"  is  explained  by  the  words  tint  follow  t« 
mean  the  cry  of  exultation  which  Die  Chorus  will  raise  when  'he  deed  ol 
venueance  is  accomplished  ;    or,  possibly  (as  Mr.  1'aley  sujri.'-ests'l,   tb« 
funereal  wai'  over  the  bodies  of  JBtristho*  and  Cly'iprnnes'ra.  which  tilt 
Chorus  would  raise  to  avert  the  guilt  of  the  murder  from  Orestes. 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 


When  she  shall  cry  aloud  the  name  of  "  son," 
And  work  tliou  out  a  woe  that  none  will  blama* 
ANTISTBOPH.  IV. 

And  have  thou  in  thy  breast 

The  heart  that  Perseus  had,1 

And  for  thy  friends  beneath, 

And  those  on  earth  who  dwell, 

Go  thou  and  work  the  deed 

Acceptable  to  them,  * 

Of  bitter,  wrathful  mood, 

And  consummate  within 

*The  loathly  work  of  blood ; 
[And  bidding  Vengeance  come  as  thine  ally,]] 

Destroy  the  murderer. 

Enter  .ZEGISTTIOS. 

jEqis.  Not  without  summons  came  I,  but  by  \rord 
Of  courier  fetched,  and  learn  that  travellers  bring 
Their  tale  of  tidings  new,  in  no  wise  welcome. 
As  for  Orestes'  death,  with  it  to  charge 
The  house  would  be  a  burden  dropping  fear 
To  one'by  that  old  bloodshed  sorely  stung.3 
How  shall  I  count  these  things  ?     As  clear  and  true  P 
Or  are  they  vague  reports  of  woman's  fears, 
That  leap  up  high  and  die  away  to  nought  ? 
What  can'st  thou  say  that  will  my  mind  inform  P 

Chor.  We  heard,  'tis  true ;  but  go  thou  in  and  ask 
Of  these  same  strangers.  Nought  is  found  in  words 
Of  messengers  like  asking,  man  from  man. 

sEyia.  I  wish  to  see  and  probe  the  messenger, 
If  he  himself  were  present  at  the  death, 
Or  tells  it  hearing  of  a  vague  report : 
They  shall  not  cheat  a  mind  with  eyes  wide  open.    [Exit. 

(1)  As  Perseus  could  only  overcome  the  Gorgon,  Medusa,  by  turning 
away  his  eyes,  lest  looking  on  her  he  should  turn  to  s'one,  so  Ores' es  was 
to  avoid  meeting  his  mother's  glance,  lest  that  should  unman  him  and 
blunt  his  purpose. 

(2)  JEgisthos  had  suffered  enough,  he  says,  for  h  s  share  in  Agamem- 
non's dua'h.    He  h.is  no  wish  that  fresh  odium  sho-ld  fall  on  him,  aa  being 
implicated  also  in  the  death  of  Orestes,  of  which  he  bus  just  beard. 


384  THE    LIBATION-POUREIUJ. 

Chor.  Zeus !  Zeus  !  what  words  shall  I  •* 

Now  speak,  whence  start  in  prayer-, 

*Invoking  help  of  Gods  ? 

How  with  all  wish  for  good 

Shall  I  speak  fitting  words  ? 

For  now  the  sharp  sword-points, 

Red  with  the  blood  of  man, 

Will  either  work  for  aye 

The  utter  overthrow 

Of  Agamemnon's  house, 

Or,  kindling  fire  and  torch 

For  freedom  thus  achieved, 

Will  he  the  sceptre  wield 

Of  duly-ordered  sway, 

His  father's  pride  and  state :  • 

Such  is  the  contest  he, 

Orestes,  godlike  one, 
.       Now  wages  all  alone, 

The  one  sole  combatant,1 

In  place  of  him  who  foil, 
Against  those  twain.     May  victory  be  his  I 

jEgiath.  [groaning  within'].  Ah  !  ah  !     Woe's  me  1 
Ciior.  Hark  !  hark  !     How  goes  it  now  P 

What  issue  has  been  wrought  within  the  house  P 
Let  us  hold  back  while  they  the  deed  are  doing, 
That  we  may  seem,  as  guiltless  of  these  ills : 
For  surely  now  the  fight  has  reached  its  end. 

Enter  Servant  from  the  chief  door. 

Serv.  Alas  !  alas  !  my  master  perishes  I 
Alas !  alas  !  a  third  time  yet  I  call. 
JEgisthos  is  no  more ;  but  open  now 
With  all  your  speed,  and  loosen  ye  the  bolts 
That  bar  the  women's  gates.     A  man's  full  strength 
Is  needed ;  not  indeed  that  that  would  help 

(1)  The  word  (ephedros)  wn*  applied  technically  to  one  who  Bat  by 
during  a  conflict  between  two  athle;es,  prepared  to  challenge  the  victor  to 
a  fresh  encounter.  Orestes  is  sucli  a  combatant,  taking  the  place  of 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  285 

A  man  already  slain. 

[Rushes  to  the  gate  of  the  women's  half  of  the 
palace. 

Ho  there  !  I  say : 

I  speak  to  the  deaf ;  to  those  that  sleep  I  utter 
In  vain  my  useless  cries.     And  where  is  she  ? 
"Where's  Clytsemnestra  ?    What  doth  she  do  now  ? 
Her  neck  upon  the  razor's  edge  doth  seem, 
To  fall,  down-stricken  by  a  vengeance  just. 

Enter  CLYT.a2MNESTRA/rom  the  side  door. 

Clytcem.  What  means  all  this  ?    What  cry  is  this  thou 
mak'st  ? 

Serv.  I  say  the  dead  are  killing  one  who  lives. 

Clytcem.  Ah,  me !  I  see  the  drift  of  thy  dark  speech ; 
By  guile  we  perish,  as  of  old  we  slew : 
Let  some  one  hand  at  once  axe  strong  to  slay ; 
Let's  see  if  we  are  conquered  or  can  conquer, 
For  to  that  point  of  evil  am  I  come. 

Enter  ORESTES  and  PYLADES/rom  the  other  door. 

Crest.  'Tis  thee  I  seek  :  he  there  has  had  enough. 

Clyta-m.  Ah  me !  my  loved  JEgisthos !  Art  thou  dead  ? 

Orest,  Lov'st  thou  the  man?    Then  in  the  self-same 
tomb  t*° 

Shalt  thou  now  lie,  nor  in  his  death  desert  him. 

Clytcem.  [baring  her  bosom]  Hold,  boy  1    Eespect  thia 

breast  of  mine,  my  son,1 

Whence  thou  full  oft,  asleep,  with  toothless  gums, 
Hast  sucked  the  milk  that  sweetly  fed  thy  life. 

Orest.  What  shall  I  do,  my  Pylades  ?    Shall  I 
Through  this  respect  forbear  to  slay  my  mother  ? 

Pyl*  Where,  then,  are  Loxias'  other  oracles, 

(t)  So,  in  Homer,  (Tl.  xxii.  79,)  Hecuba,  when  the  entreaties  of  Priam 
bad  been  in  vain,  makes  this  the  last  appeal — 

"  Then  to  the  front  his  mother  rushed,  in  tears, 
Her  bosom  bare,  with  either  hand  her  breast 
Sustaining,  and  with  tears  addressed  him  thus, 
'  Hector,  my  son,  thy  mother's  breast  revere.' " 
(Z)  The  reader  will  note  this  as  the  only  speech  put  into  the  lip*  of 


286  THE   LIBATION-TOURERS. 


The  Pythian  counsels,  and  the  fast-sworn  vows? 
Have  all  men  hostile  rather  than  the  Gods. 

Orest.  My  judgment  goes  with  thine ;   thou  speatcet 

well: 

[To    CLYT^EMNESTRA]    Follow :    I  mean  to  slay  thee 
where  he  lies,  *•" 

For  while  he  lived  thou  held'st  him  far  above 
My  father.     Sleep  thou  with  him  in  thy  death, 
Since  thou  lov'st  him,  and  whom  thou  should'st  love 

hatest. 
Clytcem.  I  reared  thee,  and  would  fain  grow  old  with 

thee. 
Orest.  What !     Thou  live  with  me,  who  did'st  slay  my 

father  ? 

Clytcem.  Fate,  O  cay  son,  must  shnre  the  blatric  of  that. 
Orest.  This  fatal  doom,  then,  it  is  Fate  that-  4ends. 
Clytcem.  Dost  thou  not  fear  a  parent's  curde,  my  son  ? 
Orest.  Thou,  though  my  mother,  did'st  to  ill  chance 

cast  me. 

Clytczm.  No  outcast  thou,  so  sent  to  house  alliort.       ** 
Orest.  I  was  sold  doubly,  though  of  free  sire  born. 
Clytn'.in.  Where  is  the  price,  then,  that  I  got  for  thee? 
Ortst.  I  shrink  for  shame  from  pressing  that  charge 

home. 

Clytcem.  Nay,  tell  thy  father's  wantonness  as  well. 
Orest.  Blame  not  the  man  that  toils  when  thou'rt  at 

ease.1 
Clytcem.  'Tis  hard,  my  son,  for  wives  to  miss  their 

husband. 

Orest.  The  husband's  toil  keeps  her  that  sits  at  home.1 
Clytaim.  Thou  seem'st,   my  son,   about  to  slay  thy 

mother. 
Orest.  It  is  not  I  that  slay  thee,  but  thyself. 

Pylades,  thotigh  he  is  present  as  accompanying  Orestes  throngho  '  great 
part  of  the  drama. 

(1)  The  different  ethical  standard  applied  to  the  guilt  of  the  husband 
and  the  wife  was,  we  may  well  believe,  1hat  which  prevailed  among  11»« 
Athenians  generally.  It  has  only  too  close  a  parallel  in  the  ballad*  ax-d 
of  our  own  early  literature. 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  3&1 

Ctytcem.   Take    heed,    beware    a    mother's    yengeful 
hounds.1  9l* 

Orest.  How,  slighting  this,  shall  I  escape  my  father's  ? 
Clytoem.  I  seem  in  lite  to  wail  as  to  a  tomb.2 
Orest.  My  father's  fate  ordains  this  doom  for  thee. 
ClytcKm,  Ah  me  !  the  snake  is  here  I  bare  and  nursed.3 
Orest.  An  o'er-truo  prophet  was  that  dread  dream- 
born  ; 

Thou  slewest  one  thou  never  should'st  have  slain, 
Now  suffer  fate  should  never  have  been  thine. 

[Exit  ORESTES,  leading  CLYT^EMNESTRA  into  the 

palace,  and  followed  by  PYLADES. 
Chor.  E'en  of  these  two  I  wail  the  twin  mischance ; 
But  since  long  line  of  murder  culminates 
In  poor  Orestes,  this  we  yet  accept, 
That  he,  our  one  li^ht,  fall  .not  utterly.  920 

STBOPH.  I. 

Late  came  due  vengeance  on  the  sons  of  Priam, 

Just  forfeit  of  sore  woe ; — 
Late  came  there  too  to  Agamemnon's  house, 

Twin  lions,  two-fold  Death.4 
The  exile  who  obeyed  the  Pythian  best 

Hath  gained  his  full  desire, 
Sped  on  his  way  by  counsel  from  the  Gods. 

STKOPH.  IL 
Shout  ye,  loud  shout  for  the  escape  from  ills 

Our  master's  house  has  seen, 
And  from  the  wasting  of  his  ancient  wealth 

By  that  defiled  pair,  •» 

111  fate  intolerable. 

(1)  The   line  is  memorable  as  prophetic  of  the  whole  plot  of  the 
Enmenides. 

(2)  Tue  phrase  "  wail  as  to  a  tomb  "  seems  to  have  been  a  bye-word  f  r 
fruitless  entreaty  and  lamentation. 

(3)  Clytwmnestra  sees  now  the  import  of  the  dream  referred  to  in  w. 
518-522. 

(4)  The  wirds  must  be  left  in  their  obscurity.    Commentators  havt 


2&S  THE    LIBATION-POUREKS. 


ASTISTBOPH.  I. 
And  so  on  one  who  loves  the  war  of  guile 

Bevenge  came  subtle-souled ; 
And  in  the  strife  of  hands  the  child  of  Zens 

In  very  deed  gave  help, 
(We  mortals  call  her  Vengeance,  hitting  well 

The  meetest  name  for  her,) 
Bi ea'J^ng  destroying  wrath  against  her  foes. 

STBOPH.  HL 

She,  rJie  it  is  whom  Loxias  summons  now, 
Wlin  dwelleth  in  Parnassia's  cavern  vast, 

*Calling  on  her  who  still 

*Is  guileful  without  guile, 
*Halting  of  foot  and  tarrying  over-long : 
The  will  of  Gods  is  strangely  overruled ; 

It  may  not  help  the  vile ; l 
'Tia  meet  to  adore  the  Power  that  rules  in  Heaven ! 

At  last  we  see  the  light. 

ANTISTROPH.  H. 

*Now  is  the  bit  that  curbed  the  slaves  ta'en  off :  * 

Arise,  arise,  0  house  : 
Too  long,  too  long,  all  prostrate  on  the  ground 

Ye  have  been  used  to  lie. 


ANTISTBOPU.  HL 

Q,uictly  all-working  Time  will  bring  a  change 
Across  the  threshold  of  the  palace  old, 

When  from  the  altar-hearth 

It  shall  drive  all  the  guilt, 
With  cleansing  rites  that  chase  away  our  woes; 

(1)  The  Eternal  Justice  •which  orders  all  things  i«  mightier  than  any 
arbitrary  will,  snch  as  men  al  tribute  to  the  Gods.    That  will,  even  if  we 
dare  to  think  of  it  as  changeable  or  evil,  is  held  in  restraint.    It  cannot, 
even  if  it  would,  protect  the  pri! -dorrs. 

(2)  The  Chorus  feel  that  they  have  been  too  long1  silent ;  now,  at  last 
they  can  speak.    As  slave  4  dreading  punishment  they  had  been  gagged 
before ;  now  the  gag  u  removed. 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  189 

And  Fortune's  throws  shall  fall  with  gladsome  cast, 

*0nce  more  benign  to  see,1 
For  new-come  strangers  settled  in  the  house: 

At  last  we  see  the  light. 
Enter  ORESTES,  PYLADES,  and  followers  from  tlie  palace. 

His  attendants   tear  the  robe  in  which  AGAMEMNON 

had  been  murdered. 

Orest.  See  ye  this  country's  tyrant  rulers  twain,        m 
My  father's  murderers,  wasters  of  his  house ; 
Stately  were  they,  seen  sitting  on  their  thrones, 
Friends  too  e'en  now,  to  argue  from  their  fate, 
Whose  oaths  are  kept  to  every  pledge  they  gave. 
Firmly  they  swore  that  they  would  slay  my  father, 
And  die  together.     Well  those  oaths  are  kept : 
And  ye  who  hear  these  ills,  behold  ye  now 
Their  foul  device,  as  bonds  for  my  poor  father, 
Handcuffs,  and  fetters  both  his  feet  to  bind. 
Come,  stretch  it  out,  and  standing  all  around,  ** 

Show  ye  the  snare  that  wrapt  him  o'er,  that  He 
May  see,  our  Father, — not  of  mine  I  speak, 
But  the  great  Sun  that  looks  on  all  we  do,— 
My  mother's  deeds,  defiled  and  impure, 
That  He  may  be  a  witness  in  my  cause, 
That  I  did  justly  bring  this  doom  to  pass 

Upon  my  mother Of  .ffigisthos'  fate 

No  word  I  speak.     He  bears  the  penalty, 

As  runs  the  law,  of  an  adulterer's  guilt ; 

But  she  who  planned  this  crime  against  a  man 

By  whom  she  knew  the  weight  of  children  borne 

Beneath  her  girdle,  once  a  burden  loved, 

But  now,  as  it  is  proved,  a  grievous  ill,  *• 

What  seems  she  to  you  ?    Had  she  viper  been, 

Or  fell  myracna,*  she  with  touch  alone, 

*Eather  than  bite,  had  made  a  festering  sore 

(1)  Or,  "  Once  more  for  those  who  wail." 

(2}  It  is  not  clear  with  what  form  of  animal  life  the  myraena  is  to  be 
Identified.    The  idea  implied  is  that  of  some  sea-monster  whoM    ouch 
was  poisonous,  but  this  does  not  hold  good  of  the  "  lamprey." 
U 


Z9O  THE    LIBATION-POURERS. 

With  that  bold  daring  of  unrighteous  mood. 
What  shall  I  call  it,  using  mildest  speech  ? 
A  wild  beast's  trap  ? — a  pall  that  wraps  a  bier, 
And  hides  a  dead  man's  feet  ? — A  net,  I  trow, 
A  snare,  a  robe  entangling,  one  might  call  it. 
Such  might  be  owned  by  one  to  plunder  trained, 
Practised  in  duping  travellers,  and  the  life 
That  robs  men  of  their  money ;  with  this  trap 
Destroying  many,  many  deeds  of  ill 
His  fevered  brain  might  hatch.     May  such  as  she 
Ne'er  share  my  dwelling !     May  the  hand  of  God 
Far  rather  smite  me  that  I  childless  die  ! 

Char,  [looking  on  AGAMEMNON'S  robe.']  Ah  me  I  ah.  me! 

these  deeds  most  miserable  ! 
By  hateful  murder  thou  wast  done  to  death. 

Woe,  woe  is  me  ! 
And  evil  buds  and  blooms  for  him  that's  left. 

Orest.  Was  the  deed  hers  or  no  ?    Lo  !  this  same  robe 
Bears  witness  how  she  dyed  -5Sgisthos'  sword, 
And  the  blood-stain  helps  Time's  destroying  vrork,       10°* 
Marring  full  many  a  tint  of  pattern  fair : 
*Now  name  I  it,  now  as  eye-witness  wail  ;* 
And  calling  on  this  robe  that  slew  my  father, 
Moan  for  all  done  and  suffered,  wail  my  race, 
Bearing  the  foul  stains  of  this  victory. 

C7tor.  No  mortal  man  shall  live  a  life  unharmed, 
*Stout-hearted  and  rejoicing  evermore. 

Woe,  woe  is  me ! 
One  trouble  vexes  now,  another  comes. 

Orest.  (wildly,  as  one.  distraught.)  Nay,  know  ye — for  I 

know  not  how  'twill  end ; 

Like  chariot-driver  with  his  steeds  I'm  dragged 
Out  of  my  course  ;  for  passion's  moods  uncurbed 
Bear  me  their  victim  headlong.     At  my  heart 

(1)  AM  the  text  stands,  Oreslee  says  that  at  last  he  can  speak  of  th« 
murder  over  which  he  had  long  brooded  in  silence.  Another  reading 
makes  him  speak  of  the  oscillations  in  his  own  mind — 

"  iNOw  do  I  praise  myself,  now  wail  and  blame." 


THE    LIBATION-POURERS.  291 


Stands  terror  ready  or  to  sing  or  dance 

In  burst  of  frenzy.     Whilt*  my  reason  stays, 

I  tell  my  friends  here  that  I  slew  my  mother, 

Not  without  right,  my  father's  murderess, 

Accursed,  and  hated  of  the  Gods.     And  I 

As  chiefest  spell  that  made  me  dare  this  deed 

Count  Loxias,  Pythian  prophet,  warning  me 

That  doing  this  I  should  be  free  from  blame,  ** 

But  slighting  ....  I  pass  o'er  the  penalty 1  .  .  •  • 

For  none,  aim  as  he  will,  such  woes  will  hit. 

And  now  ye  see  me,  in  what  guise  equipped, 

[Putting  on  the  suppliant's  wreaths  of  wool,  mnd 

taking  an  olive  branch  in  his  hand. 
With  this  my  bough  and  chaplet  I  will  gain 
Earth's  central  shrine,  the  home  where  Loxias  dwells, 
And  the  bright  fire  that  is  as  deathless  known,* 
Seeking  to  'scape  this  guilt  of  kindred  blood; 
And  on  no  other  hearth,  so  Loxias  bade, 
May  I  seek  shelter.     And  I  charge  you  all, 
Ye  Argives,  bear  ye  witness  in  due  time  *°" 

How  these  dark  deeds  of  wretched  ill  were  wrought : 
But  I,  a  wanderer,  exiled  from  my  land, 
Shall  live,  and  leaving  these  my  prayers  in  death,  .  .  . 
Chor.  Nay,  thou  hast  prospered :  burden  not  thy  lips 
With  evil  speech,  nor  speak  ill-boding  words, 
When  thou  hast  freed  the  Argive  commonwealth, 
By  good  chance  lopping  those  two  serpents'  heads. 

\JJ.  'he  Erinnyes  are  seen  in  the  background,  visible 

to  Orestes  only,  in  black  robes,  and  with  snakes 

in  their  hair. 

Orest.  Ah !  ah !  ye  handmaids :  see,  like  Gorgons  these, 
Dark-robed,  and  all  their  tresses  hang  entwined 
With  many  serpents.     I  can  bear  no  more. 

(1)  Comp.  w.  270-288. 

(2)  Delphi  was  to  the  Gree'c  (as  Jerusalem  was  to  mediwval  Christen- 
dom) the  centre  at  once  ot  his  re'igious  life  and  of  the  material  earth. 
It    rock  was  the  omphalos  of  the  world.     Consecrated  widows  watched 
over  the  sacred  and  perpetual  fire.    Once  only  up  to  the  time  of  JEschylos, 
when  the  Temple  itself  was  desecrated  by  the  Persians,  had  it  ceased  fca 
bur  11. 


29*  THB    LIBATION-POURERS. 

Cher.  What   phantoms   vex    thee,    best   beloved   of 
sons  »* 

By  thy  dear  sire  ?    Hold,  fear  not,  victory's  thine. 

Orest.  These  are  no  phantom  terrors  that  I  see : 
Full  clear  they  are  my  mother's  vengeful  hounds. 

Chor.  The  blood  fresh-shed  is  yet  upon  thy  hands, 
And  thence  it  is  these  troubles  haunt  thy  soul. 

Orest.  O  King  Apollo !    See,  they  swarm,  they  swarm, 
And  from  their  eyes  is  dropping  loathsome  blood. 

Chor.  One  way  of  cleansing  is  there ;  Loxias'  form 
Clasp  thou,  and  he  will  free  thee  from  these  ills. 

Orest.  These  forms  ye  see  not,  but  I  see  them  there : 
They  drive  me  on,  and  I  can  bear  no  more.  [Exit. 

Chor.  Well,  may'st  thou  prosper;  may  the  gracious 
God  «*» 

Watch    o'   and  guard  thee  with  a  chance  well  timed  I 

Here,  then,  upon  this  palace  of  our  kings 

A  third  storm  blows  again ; 
The  blast  that  haunts  the  race  has  run  its  course. 
First  came  the  wretched  meal  of  children's  flesh ; 

Next  what  befell  our  king : 
Slain  in  the  bath  was  he  who  ruled  our  host, 

Of  all  the  Achaeans  lord ; 
And  now  a  third  has  come,  we  know  not  whence,* 

To  save  ...  or  shall  I  say, 

To  work  a  doom  of  death  ? 
Where  will  it  end  ?    Where  will  it  cease  at  last, 

The  mighty  Ate"  dread, 

Lulled  into  slumber  deep  P 

(1)  Once  again  we  have  the  thought  of  the  third  cup  offered  aa  • 
libation  to  Zeus  as  saviour  and  deliverer.  The  Chorus  asks  -whether  thil 
tfiird  deed  of  blood  will  be  true  to  that  idea  and  work  out  deliveranM. 


EUMENJDES. 


ARGUMENT. 

The  Erinnyes  who  appeared  to  Orestes  after  the  murder  ojr  ffly* 
tamnestra  made  his  life  miserable,  and  drove  him  without 
rest  from  land  to  land.  And  he,  seeking  to  escape  them, 
had  recourse  to  the  Oracle  of  Apollo  tit  Delphi,  believing  that 
he  who  had  sent  him  to  do  the  work  of  vengeance  would  also 
help  to  free  him  from  this  wretchedness.  But  the  Erinnyes 
followed  him  there  also,  and  took  their  places  even  within  the 
holy  shrine  of  the  Oracie,  and  while  Orestes  knelt  on  the 
central  hearth  as  a  suppliant,  they  sat  upon  the  teati  there, 
<w<  for  very  weariness  fell  asleep. 


Jlrnmntis 


PYTHIAU 

APOIJA). 

ATHENA. 

Ghost  of  Clytcemnettr9» 

ORESTES. 

HEKMES. 

Chorus  of  the  Erinnyea. 

Athenian  Citizens,  Women,  and  Girl*. 


EUMENIDE8. 


SCENE.— The  Outer  Court  of  the  Oracle  at  Delphi. 
Inner  shrint  in  the  background,  with  doors  leading 
into  it. 

Enter  the  PYTHIAN  PBIESTESS. 

Pyth.  First,  with  this  prayer,  of  all  the  Gods  I  hon<rar 
The  primal  seeress  Earth,  and  Themis  next,1 
Who  in  due  order  filled  her  mother's  place, 
(So  runs  the  tale,)  and  in  the  third  lot  named, 
With  her  goodwill  and  doing  wrong  to  none, 
Another  of  the  Titans'  offspring  sat, 
Earth's  daughter  Phoebe,  and  as  birthday  gift 
She  gives  it  up  to  Phoebos,2  and  he  takes 
His  name  from  Phoebe.     And  he,  leaving  then 
The  pool3  and  rocks  of  Delos,  having  steered 
To  the  ship-traversed  shores  that  Pallas  owns. 
Came  to  this  land  and  to  Parnassos'  seat : 
And  with  great  reverence  they  escort  him  on, 
Hephsestos'  sons,  road-makers,4  turning  thus 

(1)  The  succession  is,  in  part,  accordant  with  that  in  the  Theogonia  of 
Hesiod,  (w.  116-136,)  but  the  special  characteristic  of  the  JEschylean  form 
of  the  legend  is  that  each  change  is  a  step  in  a  due,  rightful  succession, 
as  by  free  gift,  not  accomplished  (as  in  other  narratives  of  the  same  tran- 
sition) by  violence  and  wrong. 

(2)  Phoebe,  in  the  Theogonia,  marries  Coios,  and  becomes  the  mother 
of  Leto,  or  Latona,  and  so  the  grandmother  of  Apollo.    The  "birthday 
gift "  was  commonly  presented  on  the  eighth  day  after  birth,  when  the 
child  was  named.    The  oracle  is  spoken  of  as  such  a  gift  to  Apollo,  as 
bearin'-r  the  name  of  Phoebos. 

(3)  The  sacred  circular  pool  of  Delos  is  the  crater  of  an  extinct  volcano. 
There  Apollo  was  born,  and  thence  he  passed  through  Attica  to  Par- 
nassos, to  take  possession  of  the  oracle,  according  to  one  form  of  the 
myth,  depriving  Themis  of  it  and  slaying  the  dragon  Python  lhat  kept 
guard  over  it. 

(4)  The  people  of  Attica  are  thus  named,  either  as  being  mythically 


EUMENIDES. 


The  wilderness  to  laud  no  longer  wild; 

Aiid  when  he  coines  the  people  honour  him, 

And  Delphos  too,1  chief  pilot  of  this  land. 

And  him  Zeus  sets,  his  mind  with  skill  inspired, 

As  the  fourth  seer  upon  these  sacred  seats ; 

And  Loxias  is  his  father  Zeus's  prophet. 

These  Gods  in  prologue  of  my  prayer  I  worship  ;  * 

Pallas  Pronaia  2  too  claims  highest  praise ; 

The  Nymphs  adore  I  too  where  stands  the  rock 

Korykian,3  hollow,  loved  of  birds  and  haunt 

Of  Gods.     [And  Bromios 4  also  claims  this  place, 

Nor  can  I  now  forget  it,  since  the  time 

When  he,  a  God,  with  help  of  Bacchants  warred, 

And  planned  a  death  for  Pentheus,  like  a  hare's.6} 

Invoking  Pleistos' 6  founts,  Poseidon's  might, 

And  Zeus  most  High,  supreme  Accomplisher, 

I  in  due  order  sit  upon  this  seat 

As  seeress,  and  I  pray  them  that  they  grant 

To  find  than  all  my  former  divinations 

One  better  still.     If  Hellas  pilgrims  sends, 

Let  them  approach  by  lot,  as  is  our  law ; 

descended  from  Erichfhonios  the  son  of  Hephsestos,  or  as  artificers,  who 
own  him  as  their  father.  The  words  refer  to  the  supposed  origin  of  the 
Sacred  Road  frnn  Athens  to  Delphi,  passing  through  Bceotia  and  Phokis. 
"When  the  Athenians  sent  envoys  to  consult  the  oracle  th.ywere  pre- 
ceded by  men  bearing  axes,  in  remembrance  of  the  original  pioneering 
work  which  had  been  done  for  Apollo.  The  first  work  of  ac'iye  civili- 
sation was  thus  connected  with  the  worship  of  the  giver  of  Light  and 
Wisdom. 

(1)  Delphos,  the  hero  Eprmymns  (name-giving)  of  Delphi,  was  honoured 
as  the  son  of  Poseidon.  Hence  the  Piiestess  invokes  the  latter  as  one  of 
the  guardian  deities  of  the  shrine. 

(2|  Pronaia,  as  having  her  shrine  or  statue  in  front  of  the  temple  of 
Apollo. 

(3)  The  Korykian  rock  in  Parnassos,  as  in  Soph.,  Antig.,  v.  1128 ;  known 
also  as  the  "Nymphs'  cavern." 

(4)  Bromios,  a  name  of  Dionysos,  embodying  the  spec'al  attributes  of 
ioud,  half-frenzied  revelry. 

(5)  In  the  legend  which  Euripides  follows,  Kithseron,  not  Parnassos,  is 
the  scene  of  the  dea'h  of  Pentheus.    He,  it,  was  snid,  opposed  the  wild  or 
frantic  worship  of  the  Peliisgic  Bacchos,  concealed  himself  tliat  he  might 
be  iold  the  mysteries  of  the  ,M  senads,  and  was  torn  in  pieces  by  his  mother 
and  two  others,  on  whose  eyes  *  he  God  had  cast  such  glamour  that  they 
took  him  for  a  wild  beast.     English  readers  may  be  referred  to  Dean  Mil« 
man's  translation  of  the  Bacchanals  of  Euripides. 

(6)  Ploistos,  topographically,  a  ri\  er  flowing  through  the  vale  of  Delphi 
mythically  the  father  of  LUe  nymphs  of  Ivory kos. 


EUMENIDES.  299 


For  as  the  God  guides  I  give  oracles.1 

[She  passes  through  the  door  to  the  adytum,  and 
after  a  pause  returns  trembling  and  crouch- 
ing with  fear,  supporting  herself  with  her 
hands  against  the  walla  and  columns.     The 
door  remains    open,    and    Orestes    and    the 
Erinnyes  are  seen  in  the  inner  sanctuary. 
Dread  things  to  tell,  and  dread  for  eyes  to  see, 
Have  sent  me  back  again  from  Loxias'  shrine, 
*So  that  strength  fails,  nor  can  I  nimbly  move, 
But  run  with  help  of  hands,  not  speed  of  foot; 
A  woman  old  and  terrified  is  nought, 
A  very  child.     Lo  !  into  yon  recesa 
With  garlands  hung  I  go,  arid  there  I  see 
Upon  the  central  stone 2  a  God-loathed  man,  * 

Sitting  as  suppliant,  and  with  hands  that  dripped 
Blood-drops,  and  holding  sword  but  newly  drawn, 
And  branch  of  olive  from  the  topmost  growth, 
With  amplest  tufts  of  white  wool  meetly  wreathed ; 
For  this  I  will  say  clearly.3    And  a  troop 
Of  women  strange  to  look  at  sleepeth  there, 
Before  this  wanderer,  seated  on  their  stools ; 
Not  women  they,  but  Gorgons  *  I  must  call  them ; 

(1)  At  one  time  the  Oracle  had  been  open  to  questioners  once  in  the 
year  onl  ,  afterwards  once  a  mon'h.    The  pilgrims,  af,er  they  had  made 
their  offeriiig-s,  cast  lots,  and  the  doors  were  opened  to  him  to  whom  the 
lot  had  fallen.    Plutai  ch,  Qu.  Gra'e.,  p.  292. 

(2)  The  altar  of  the  a  !y;um,  on  the  very  centre,  as  men  deemed,  of  the 
•whole  earth.    Zeus,  it  was  said,  had  se  it  forth  two  eagles  at  the  same 
moment ;  one  from  the  East  and  the  other  from  the  West,  and  here  it 
Wat  that  they  had  met.    The  stone  was  of  white  marble,  and  the  two 
eagles  were  sculp' ured  on  it.    Strabo,  ix.  3. 

(3)  The  priestess  dwells  upon  the  outward  tokens,  which  showed  that 
the  suppliant  came  as  one  whose  need  was  specially  urgent.    On  the  ritual 
of  supplication  generally  cornp.  Suppl.,w.22,  348,  641,  Soph.,  (Ed.  King,  v. 
3 ;   (Ed.  O»l.,  TV.  469-489. 

(4)  .Xschylos  apparently  follows  the  Theogonia  of  Hesiod,  (1  278,)  who 
describes  lie  Gordons  as  three  in  number,  daughters  of  Phorkys  and 
Keto,  and  burning  the  names  of  S:heno,  Euryale,  and  Medusa.    The  last 
en  ers  into  'he  Perseus  cycle  of  my  hs,  as  one  of  the  monsters  whom  he 
conquered,  with  a  face  once  beautiful,  but  with  her  hair  turned  to  serpents 
by  the  wrath  of  Athena,  and  so  dreadful  to  look  upon  that  those  who 
gazed  on   her   were  turned   to   stone.       When  Perseus  had  slain  her, 
Athena  placed  her  head  in  her  aegis,  and  thus  became  the  terror  of  all 
Who  were  foea  to  herself  or  her  people.    A  wild  legendary  jtueouut  of 


3<X>  .      KUMENIDES. 


Nor  yet  can  I  to  Gorgon  forms  compare  thorn  r 

I  have  seen  painted  shapes  that  bear  away 

The  feast  of  Phineus.1    Wingless,  though,  are  these, 

And  swarth,  and  every  way  abominable. 

*They  snort  with  breath  that  none  may  dare  approach, 

And  from  their  eyes  a  loathsome  humour  pours, 

And  such  their  garb  as  neither  to  the  shrine 

Of  Gods  is  meet  to  bring,  nor  mortal  roof. 

Ne'er  have  I  seen  a  race  that  owns  this  tribe, 

Nor  is  there  land  can  boast  it  rears  such  brood, 

Unhurt  and  free  from  sorrow  for  its  pains. 

Henceforth  be  it  the  lot  of  Loxias,  *• 

Our  mighty  lord,  himself  to  deal  with  them : 

True  prophet-healer  he,  and  portent-seer, 

And  for  all  others  cleanser  of  their  homes. 

Enter  APOLLO  from  the  inner  adytum,  attended  by 
HEKMES. 

Apol.  [To  ORESTES.]  Nay,  I'll  not  fail  thee,  but  as 

close  at  hand 

Will  guard  thee  to  the  end,  or  though  far  off, 
Will  not  prove  yielding  to  thine  adversaries ; 
And  now  thou  see'st  these  fierce  ones  captive  ta'en, 
These  loathly  maidens  fallen  fast  in  sleep. 
Hoary  and  ancient  virgins  they,  with  whom 
Nor  God,  nor  man,  nor  beast,  holds  intercourse. 
They  owe  their  birth  to  evils ;  for  they  dwell 
In  evil  darkness,  yea  in  Tartaros 
Beneath  the  earth,  and  are  the  hate  and  dread 
Of  all  mankind,  and  of  Olympian  Gods. 
Yet  fly  thou,  fly,  and  be  not  faint  of  heart ; 

them  meets  us  in  the  Prom.  Sound,  v.  812.    As  works  of  art,  the  Gorgon 
images  are  traceable  to  the  earliest  or  Kyclopian  period. 

(1)  Here  also  we  have  a  reference  to  a  familiar  subject  of  early  Greek 
art,  probably  to  some  painting  familiar  to  an  Athenian  audience.  The 
name  of  Phineus  indicates  that  the  monstrous  forms  spoken  of  are  those 
of  the  Harpies,  birds  with  women's  faces,  or  women  with  birds'  wings, 
who  were  sent  to  vex  the  blind  seer  for  his  cruelty  to  the  children  of  hi* 
first  marriage.  Comp.  Soph.  Antig.,  v.  973.  In  the  ^Eneiil  they  appear 
(in.  225)  as  dwelling  in  the  Stropliadee,  and  harassing  ^Eneaa  and  liia 
companion*. 


EUMENIDES.  3OI 


For  they  -will  chase  th.ee  over  mainland  wide, 
As  thou  dost  tread  the  soil  by  wanderers  tracked, 
And  o'er  the  ocean,  and  by  sea-girt  towns ; 
And  fail  thou  not  before  the  time,  as  brooding 
O'er  this  great  toil.     But  go  to  Pallas'  city, 
And  sit,  and  clasp  her  ancient  image l  there ; 
And  there  with  judges  of  these  things,  and  words 
Strong  to  appease,  will  we  a  means  devise 
To  free  thee  from  these  ills  for  evermore ; 
For  1  urged  thee  to  take  thy  mother's  life. 

Orest.  Thou  know'st,  O  king  Apollo,  not  to  wrong; 
And  since  thou  know'st,  learn  also  not  to  slight : 
Thy  strength  gives  full  security  for  act. 

Apol.  Eemember,  let  no  fear  o'ercome  thy  soul ; 
And  [To  HEEMES,]  thou,  my  brother,  of  one  father  born, 
My  Hermes,  guard  him ;  true  to  that  thy  name, 
Be  thou  his  Guide,  true  shepherd  of  this  man, 
Who  comes  to  me  as  suppliant :  Zeus  himself 
*Reveres  this  reverence  e'en  to  outcasts  due, 
When  it  to  mortals  comes  with  guidance  good.* 

[Exit  ORESTES  led  by  HERMES.  APOLLO  retiree 
within  the  adytum.  The  Ghost  o/CLYT^M- 
NESTRA  rises  from  the  ground. 

Clytcem.  What  ho !    Sleep  on  !    What  need  of  sleepers 

now? 

And  I  am  put  by  you  to  foul  disgrace 
Among  the  other  dead,  nor  fails  reproach 
Among  the  shades  that  I  a  murderess  am ; 
And  so  in  shame  I  wander,  and  I  tell  you 
That  at  their  hands  I  bear  worst  form  of  blame. 
And  much  as  I  have  borne  from  nearest  kin,  *" 

Yet  not  one  God  is  stirred  to  wrath  for  me, 

(1)  The  old  image  of  Pallas,  carved  in  olive-wood,  as  distinguished  from 

later  sculpture. 

(2)  The  early  code  of  hospitality  bound  the  host,  who  as  such  had  onoa 
received  a  guest  under  the  shelter  of  his  roof,  not  to  desert  him.  even 
though  he  might  discover  afterwards  tnat  he  had  been  guilty  or  great 
crimes,  but  to  escort  him  sately  to  the  boundary  of  his  territory.    Thin 
Apollo,  as  the  host  with  whom  Orestes  had  taken  refuge,  sends  Herm«% 
the  escort  God,  to  guide  and  defend  him  on  his  way  to  Athens. 


EUMENIDES. 


Though  done  to  dentil  by  matricidal  hands. 

See  ye  these  heart- wounds,  whence  and  how  they  came  P 

Yea,  when  it  sleeps,  the  mind  is  bright  with  eyes; l 

But  in  the  day  it  is  man's  lot  to  lack 

All  true  discernment.     Many  a  gift  of  mine 

Have  ye  lapped  up,  libations  pure  from  wine,' 

And  soothing  rites  that  shut  out  drunken  mirth  ; 

And  I  dread  banquets  of  the  night  would  offer 

On  altar-hearth,  at  hour  no  God  might  share. 

And  lo  !  all  this  is  trampled  under  foot.  ** 

He  is  escaped,  and  flees,  like  fawn,  away; 

And  even  from  the  midst  of  all  your  toils 

Has  nimbly  slipped,  and  draws  wide  mouth  at  you. 

Hear  ye ;  for  I  have  spoken  for  my  life  : 

Give  heed,  ye  dark,  earth-dwelling  Goddesses, 

I,  Clytaemnestra's  phantom,  call  on  you. 

[The.  Erinnyes  moan  in  their  sleep. 
Moan  on,  the  man  is  gone,  and  flees  far  off : 
My  kindred  find  protectors ;  I  find  none. 

[Moan  as  before. 

Too  sleep-oppressed  art  thou,  nor  pitiest  me : 
Orestes,  murderer  of  his  mother,  'scapes. 

[Noises  repeated. 

Dost  snor*  ?  Dost  drowse  ?  Will  thou  not  rise  and  speed  P 
What  have  ye  ever  done  but  work  out  ill  ? 

[Noises  as  lefort. 

Tea,  sleep  and  toil,  supreme  conspirators, 
Hare  withered  up  the  dreaded  dragon's  strength. 

Chor.  [starting  up  suddenly  with  a  yell."}    Seize  him, 
seize,  seize,  yea,  f  eize :  look  well  to  it. 

(1)  The  thought  that  the  highest  •wisdom  came  to  men  rather   in 
"•visions  of  the  night,  when  deep  sleep  falleih  on  men,"  than  ihrough  the 
waking  senses,  which  we  have  a  ready  met  with  in  Agam...  v.  173,  is  i  race- 
able  to  the  mys.icisra  of  Pythagoras,  more  distinctly  perhaps  to  that  of 
Epimenides. 

(2)  Wine,  as  in  Soph.  (Ed.  Ol.,  w.  100,  481,  was  rigidly  excluded  from 
the  cuttus  of  the  Eumenides,  and  to  them  only  as  daughters  of  Night  were 
midnight  sacrifices  offered.    We  must  not  lose  sight  of  the  thought  thtw 
implied,  tnat  Clytsemnestra  had  hei  self  lived,  alter  her  deed  ot  guilt,  in 
perpetual    terror    of   the    Erinnyea,   beoiiing  to    soothe  them   by  hef 
sacrifice*. 


EUSIENIDES.  303 


Clytcem.  Thou,  pliantom-like,1  dost  hunt  thy  prey,  and 

criest, 

Like  hound  that  never  rests  from  care  of  toil. 
What  dost  thou  ?  (to  one  Erinnys.)    Rise  and  let  not  toil 

o'ercome  thee, 

Nor,  lulled  to  sleep,  lose  all  thy  sense  of  loss. 
Let  thy  soul  (to  another}  feel  the  pain  of  just  reproach  :  ** 
The  wise  of  heart  find  that  their  goad  and  spur. 
And  thou  (to  a  third],  breathe  on  him  with  thy  blood- 
flecked  breath, 

And  with  thy  vapour,  thy  maw's  fire,  consume  him; 
Chase  him,  and  wither  with  a  fresh  pursuit. 
Leader  of  the  Chor.  Wake,  wake,  I  say ;  wake  her,  as 

I  wftke  thee. 

Dost  slumber  ?    Rise,  I  say,  and  shake  off  sleep. 
Let's  see  if  this  our  prelude  be  in  vain. 

STBOPH.  I. 

Pah  !  pah  !  Oh  me !  we  suffered,  0  my  friends.  .  .  .  . 
Yea,  many  mine  own  sufferings  undeserved.  .  .  .  . 
Wfe  suffered  a  great  sorrow,  full  of  woe,  *** 

An  evil  hard  to  bear. 

Out  of  the  nets  he's  slipped,  our  prey  is  gone: 
O'ercome  by  sleep  I  have  my  quarry  lost. 

ANTISTBOPH.  I. 

Ah,  son  of  Zeus,  a  very  robber  thou, 
Though  young,  thou  didst  old  Goddesses  ride  doira,* 
Honouring  thy  suppliant,  godless  though  he  be, 

One  whom  his  parents  loathe  : 
Thou,  though  a  God,  a  matricide  hast  freed : 
Of  which  of  these  acts  can  one  speak  as  just  ? 


304  EUMENIDES. 


STEOPH.  II. 
Yea,  ihis  reproach  tliat  came  to  me  in  dreams 

Smote  me,  as  charioteer 
Smites  with  a  goad  he  in  the  middle  grasps, 

Beneath  my  breast,  my  heart ; 
Tis  ours  to  feel  the  keen,  the  o'er  keen  smart, 
As  by  the  public  scourger  fiercely  lashed. 

ANTISTROPH.  II. 
Such  are  the  doings  of  these  younger  Gods, 

Beyond  all  bounds  of  right 
Stretching  their  power A  clot  of  blood  besmeared 

Upon  the  base,  the  head,  .... 

Earth"s  central  shrine  itself  we  now  may  see  *"* 

Take  to  itself  pollution  terrible. 

STROPH.  III. 

And  thou,  a  seer,  with  guilt  that  stains  thy  hearth 
Hast  fouled  thy  shrine,  self-prompted,  self-impelled, 
Against  God's  laws  a  mortal  honouring, 

And  bringing  low  the  Fates 

Born  in  the  hoary  past. 

ANTisTaorn.  III. 

Me  he  may  vex,  but  shall  not  rescue  him ; 
Though  'neath  the  earth  he  flee,  he  is  not  freed ; 
For  he,  blood-stained,  shall  find  upon  his  head 

Another  after  me, 

Destroyer  foul  and  dread. 

[APOLLO  advances  from  the  Adytum  and  confronit 

them. 

Apol.  Out,  out,  I  bid  you,  quickly  from  this  temple ; 
Go  forth,  and  leave  this  shrine  oracular, 
Lest,  smitten  with  a  serpent  winged  and  bright, 
Forth  darted  from  my  bow-string  golden- wrought, 
Thou  in  sore  pain  bring  up  dark  foam,  and  vomit 
The  clots  of  blood  thou  suck'dst  from  human  veins. 
This  is  no  house  where  ye  may  meetly  come, 


EUMENJDES.  305 


But  there  where  heads  upon  the  scaffold  lie,1 

And  eyes  are  gouged,  and  throats  of  men  are  cut, 

*And  mutilation  mars  the  bloom  of  youth, 

Where  men  are  maimed  and  stoned  to  death,  and  groan 

With  bitter  yailing,  'neath  the  spine  impaled ;  "* 

Hear  ye  what  feast  ye  love,  and  so  become 

Loathed  of  the  Gods  ?    Yes,  all  your  figure's  fashion 

Points  clearly  to  it.     Such  as  ye  should  dwell 

In  cave  of  lion  battening  upon  blood, 

Nor  tarry  in  these  sacred  precincts  here, 

Working  defilement.     Go,  and  roam  afield 

Without  a  shepherd,  for  to  flock  like  this 

Not  one  of  all  the  Gods  is  friendly  found. 

Chor.  0  king  Apollo,  hear  us  in  our  turn . 
No  mere  accomplice  art  thou  of  these  things,  l" 

But  guilty  art  in  full  as  principal. 

Apol.  How  then  ?    Prolong  thy  speech  to  tell  me  this. 

Chor.  Thou  bad'st  this  stranger  be  a  matricide. 

Apol.  I  bade  him.  to  avenge  his  sire.     Why  not  ?       * 

Chor.  Then  thou  did'st  welcome  here  the  blood  just 
shed. 

Apol.  I  bade  him  seek  this  shrine  as  suppliant. 

Chor.  Yet  us  who  were  his  escort  thou  revilest. 

Apol.  It  is  not  meet  that  ye  come  nigh  this  house. 

Chor.  Yet  is  this  self -same  task  appointed  us. 

Apol.  What  function's  this  ?     Boast  thou  of  nobler 
task  ?  ™> 

Chor.  We  drive  from  home  the  murderers  of  their 
mothers. 

Apol.  What?     Those  who  kill  a  wife  that  slays  her 
spouse  ? 

Ohor.  That  deed  brings  not  the  guilt  of  blood  of  kin.* 

(1)  The  accumulation  of  horrid  forms  of  cruelty  had,  probably,  a  special 
significance  tor  the  A'beniaiis.    These  punishments  belonged  to  their 
enemies,  the  Persians,  not  to  the  Hellenic  race,  and  the  poet's  purpose 
was  to  rekindle  patriotic  feeling  by  dwelling  on  their  barbarity,  as  in 
Agan.,  v.  894,  he  points  in  like  manner  to  their  haughtiness  and  luxury. 

(2)  The  aigument  of  the  Erinnyes  is,  to  some  extent,  like  that  of  the 
Antigone  of  Sophocles,   (Antig.,  909-913,)  and  the  wife  of   Intaphemes, 
(Hfirod.  III.,  119.)    The  tie  which  binds  the  husband  to  the  wife  is  lesi 
Uored  than  that  between  the  mother  and  the  son.  This,  th«  refore,  bring! 

X 


306  EUMENIDES. 


ApoL  *Truly  thou  mak'st  dishonoured,  and  as  nought, 
The  marriage-vows  of  Zeus  and  llera  great ; 
And  by  this  reasoning  Kypris  too  is  shamed, 
From  whom  men  gain  the  ties  of  closest  love. 
For  still  to  man  and  woman  marriage  bed, 
Assigned  by  Fate  and  guided  by  the  Right, 
Is  more  than  any  oath.     If  thou  then  deal 
So  gently,  when  the  one  the  other  slays,  *• 

And  dost  not  even  look  on  them  with  wrath, 
I  say  thou  dost  not  justly  chase  Orestes ; 
For  thou,  in  the  one  case,  I  know,  dost  rage; 
I'  the  other,  clearly  tak'st  it  easily : 
The  Goddess  Pallas  shall  our  quarrel  judge. 

Chor.  That  man  I  ne'er  will  leave  for  evermore. 

ApoL  Chase  him  then,  chase,  and  gain  yet  more  of  toil. 
•     Chor.  Curtail  ihou  not  my  functions  by  thy  speech. 

ApoL  Ne'er  by  my  choice  would  I  thy  functions  own. 

Chor.  True ;    great  thy  name  among  the  thrones  of 
Zeus :  » 

But  I,  his  mother's  blood  constraining  me, 
Will  this  man  chase,  and  track  him  like  a  hound. 

ApoL  And  I  will  help  him  and  my  suppliant  free  ; 
For  dreadful  among  Gods  and  mortals  too 
The  suppliant's  curse,  should  I  abandon  him. 

[Exeunt. 

Scene  changes  to  Athens,  in  front  of  the  Temple  of  Athena 
Polias,  on  the  Acropolis.1 

Enter  ORESTES. 

Orest.    [clasping  the  statue  of  the  Goddess."]   O  Queen 
Athena,  I  at  Loxias'  hest 

on  the  slayer  the  guilt  of  blood  of  kin,  while  murder  in  the  other  case  ia 
reduced  to  simple  homicide.  Orestes  therefore  was  not  justified  in  per- 
petrating the  greater  crime  as  a  retribution  for  the  less.  Apollo,  in 
meeting  this  plea,  asserts  the  sacreclness  of  the  marriage  bond  as  standing 
on  the  same  level  as  that  of  consanguinity. 

(1)  The  idea;  interval  of  time  between  the  two  parts  of  the  drama  is 
left  undefined,  but  it  would  seem  from  w.  2,30,  274-6,  and  429,  to  have 
been  lo  g  enough  to  have  allowed  of  many  wanderings  to  sacred  places, 
Orestes  does  not  go  straight  from  Delphi  to  Athens  He  appears  now, 
not  as  before  dripping  and  besmeared  with  blood,  but  witu  hands  ana 
urified. 


EUMENIDES.  3P1 


Am  come :  do  thou  receive  me  graciously, 
Sin-stained  though  I  have  been  :  no  guilt  of  blood 
Is  on  my  soul,  nor  is  my  hum!  unclean, 
But  now  with  stain  toned  down  and  worn  away, 
In  other  homes  and  journeyings  among  men,1 
O'er  land  and  water  travelling  alike, 
Keeping  great  Loxias'  charge  oracular, 
I  come,  O  Goddess,  to  thy  shrine  and  statue: 
Here  will  I  stay  and  wait  the  trial's  issue. 
Enter  the  Erinnyes  in  pursuit. 
Chor.  Lo !  here  are  clearest  traces  of  the  man : 
Follow  thou  up  that  dumb  informer's2  hints; 
For  as  the  hound  pursues  a  wounded  fawn, 
So  by  red  blood  and  oozing  gore  track  we. 
My  lungs  are  panting  with  full  many  a  toil, 
Wearing  man's  strength  down.     Every  spot  of  earth     "** 
Have  I  now  searched,  and  o'er  the  sea  in  flight 
Wingless  I  came  pursuing,  swift  as  ship  ; 
And  now  full  sure  he's  crouching  somewhere  here: 
The  smell  of  human  blood  wafts  joy  to  me. 
See,  see  again,  look  round  ye  every  way, 
Lest  he,  the  murderer,  slip  away  unscathed. 
Hb,  it  is  true,  in  full  security, 
Clasping  the  statue  of  the  deathless  goddess, 
Would  fain  now  take  his  trial  at  our  hands. 
This  may  not  be  ;  a  mother's  blood  out-poured 
(Pah  !  pah  !)  can  never  be  raised  up  again, 
The  life-blood  shed  is  poured  out  and  gone, 
But  thou  must  give  to  us  to  suck  the  blood 
Eed  from  thy  living  members ;  yea,  from  thee, 
May  I  gain  meal  of  drink  undrinkable  1 

(1)  The  story  of  Adrastos  and  Crosses  in  Herod.  I.  35,  illustrates  the 
grndunl  purification  of  which  Orestes  speaks.    The  penitent  who  has  the 
stain  of  blood-guiltiness  upon  him  comes  to  tiie  king,  and  the  king1,  as 
his  host,  performs  the  lustral  rites  for  h.m.     Here  Orestes  urges  that  he 
has  been  received  at  many  homes,  and  gone  through  many  such  lustra- 
tions.   He  has  been  cleansed  from  the  pollution  of  sin  :  what  he  now 
«eeks,   to  use  the  terminology  of  a  later  system,  is  a  forensic  justili- 
eation. 

(2)  Sc.,  the  scent  of  blood,  which  though  no  longer  visible  to  the  eyes  of 
tuai,  still  lingers  round  him  and  is  perceptible  to  his  pursuers. 


308  EUMENIDES. 


And,  having  dried  thee  up,  I'll  drag  thee  down 

Alive  to  bear  the  doom  of  matricide. 

There  thou  shalt  see  if  any  other  man 

Has  sinned  in  not  revering  God  or  guest, 

Or  parents  dear,  that  each  receiveth  there  ** 

The  recompense  of  sin  that  Vengeance  claims. 

For  Hades  is  a  mighty  arbiter 

Of  those  that  dwell  below,  and  with  a  mind 

That  writes  true  record  all  man's  deeds  surveys. 

Orest.  I,  taught  by  troubles,  know  full  many  a  form 
Of  cleansing  rites, — to  speak,  when  that  is  meet, 
And  when  'tis  not,  keep  silence,  and  in  this 
I  by  wise  teacher  was  enjoined  to  speak; 
For  the  blood  fails  and  fades  from  off  my  hands; 
The  guilt  of  matricide  is  washed  away.  **• 

For  when  'twas  fresh,  it  then  was  all  dispelled, 
At  Phcebos'  shrine,  by  spells  of  slaughtered  swine. 
Long  would  the  story  be,  if  told  complete, 
Of  all  I  joined  in  harmless  fellowship. 
Time  waxing  old,  too,  cleanses  all  alike  : 
And  now  with  pure  lips,  I  in  words  devout, 
Call  Atheuoea,  whom  this  land  owns  queen, 
To  come  and  help  me  :  So  without  a  war 
Shall  she  gain  rne,  my  land,  my  Argive  people,  "** 

Full  faithful  friends,  allies  for  evermore ; l 
But  whether  in  the  climes  of  Libyan  land, 
Hard  by  her  birth-stream's  foam,  Tritonian  named,* 
She  stands  upright,  or  sits  with  feet  enwrapt, 
Helping  her  friends,  or  o'er  Phlegraean  plains, 
Like  a  bold  chieftain,  she  keeps  watchful  guard,3 

(1}  Here,  too,  we  trace  the  political  bearing  of  the  play.  In  the  year 
when  it  was  produced  (B.C.  458)  an  ulliance  with  Argos  was  the  favourite 
measure  of  the  more  conservative  party  at  Athens. 

(2)  The  names  Triton  and  Tritonis,  wherever  found  in  classical  ffeo- 
graphy,  (Libya,  Crete,  Thessaly,  Breotia,)  are  always  connected  with 
the  legend  that  Athena  was  bo  n  there.  Probably  both  name  and 
legend  were  carried  from  Greece  to  Libya,  and  then  amalgamated  with 
the  indigenous  local  worship  of  a  warlike  goddess.  Hesiod  (iv.  180,  188) 
connects  t  'e  Libyan  lake  with  the  legend  of  Jason  and  Argonauts. 

(8)  In  the  war  with  the  giants  lought  in  the  Phlegrsean  plains  (th« 
TClcuaio  district  of  Campania)  Athena  had  helped  her  father  Zeus  by  bet 


KUMENIDES.  309 


Oh,  may  she  come  !  (far  off  a  God  can  hear,) 
And  work  for  me  redemption  from  these  ills  I 
Ckor.  Nay,  nor  Apollo,  nor  Athena's  might 
Can  save  thee  from  the  doom  of  perishing,  ** 

Outcast,  not  knowing  where  to  look  for  joy, 
Tha  bloodless  food  of  demons,  a  mere  shade. 
Wilt  thou  not  answer  ?     Scornest  thou  my  words, 
A  victim  reared  and  consecrate  to  me  ? 
AHve  thou'lt  feed  me,  not  at  altar  slain ; 
And  thou  shalt  hear  our  hymn  as  spell  to  bind  thee. 

The  Erinnyea,  as  they  sing  the  ode  that  follows,  move  round 

and  round  in  solemn  and  weird  measure. 
Come,  then,  let  us  form  our  chorus; 
Since  'tis  now  our  will  to  utter 
Melody  of  song  most  hateful, 
Telling  how  our  band  assigneth 
All  the  lots  that  fall  to  mortals ;  wt 

And  we  boast  that  we  are  righteous: 
Not  on  one  who  pure  hands  lifteth 
Palleth  from  us  any  anger, 
But  his  life  he  passeth  scatheless ; 
But  to  him  who  sins  like  this  man, 
And  his  blood-stained  hands  concealeth, 
Witnesses  of  those  who  perish, 
Coming  to  exact  blood-forfeit, 
We  appear  to  work  completeness.  8U 

STBOPH.  I. 

0  mother  who  did'st  bear  me,  mother  Night, 
A  terror  of  the  living  and  the  dead, 

Hear  me,  oh  hear  ! 
The  son  of  Leto  puts  me  to  disgrace 

And  robs  me  of  my  spoil, 

wise  counsel,  and  was  honoured  there  as  keeping  in  check  the  destrnetirt 
Titanic  forces  which  had  been  so  subdued,  burying  Enkelados,  e.g.,  in 
Sifily.  The  "friends"  are  her  Libyan  worshippers.  The  passage  is 
interesting,  as  showing  the  extent  of  ^Escliylos  s  acquaintance  with  tiia 
African  and  Italian  coasts  of  the  ".diterranean. 


JIO  KUMENIDES. 


This  crouching  victim  for  a  mother's  blood : 

And  over  him  as  slam, 
We  raise  this  chant  of  madness,  frenzy-working,1 

The  hymn  the  Erinnycs  love, 
A.  spell  upon  the  soul,  a  lyreless  strain 

That  withers  up  men's  strength. 

ANTISTBOPH.  I. 

This  lot  the  all-pervading  Destiny  ' 

Hath  spun  to  hold  its  ground  for  evermore, 

That  we  should  still  attend 
On  him  on  whom  there  rests  the  guilt  of  blood 

Of  kin  shed  causelessly, 
Till  earth  lie  o'er  him ;  nor  shall  death  set  free. 

And  over  him  as  slain, 
We  raise  this  chant  of  madness,  frenzy- working, 

The  hymn  the  Erinnyes  love, 
A  spell  upon  the  soul,  a  lyreless  strain 

That  withers  up  men's  strength. 

STKOPH.  II. 

Such  lot  was  then  assigned  us  at  our  birth : 
From  us  th'i  Undying  Ones  must  hold  aloof : 

Nor  is  there  one  who  shares 

The  banquet-meal  with  us  ; 
In  garments  white  I  have  nor  part  nor  lot ;  8 
My  choice  was  made  for  overthrow  of  homes, 
Where  home-bred  slaughter  works  a  loved  one's  death: 

Ha  !  hunting  after  him, 

Strong  though  he  be,  'tis  ours 
*To  wear  the  newness  of  his  young  blood  down.8 


(1)  The  Choral  ode  here  is  brought  in  as  an  incantation.  This  weapon 
Is  to  succeed  where  others  have  faile  1,  and  this  too,  the  frenzy  which 
seizes  the  soul  in  the  remembrance  of  its  past  transgression,  is  soothed 
and  banished  by  Athena. 

(•2)  White,  as  the  special  colour  of  festal  joy,  was  not  use'l  in  the  worship 
of  the  Erinnyes. 

(3)  Another  rendering1  gives— 

"  To  dim  the  bright  hue  of  the  fresh-shed  blood." 


EUMENIDES.  311 


ANTISTP.OPH.  II. 

*Since  'tis  our  work  another's  task  to  take,1  ** 

*lh.e  Gods  indeed  may  bar  the  force  of  prayers 

Men  offer  unto  me, 

But  may  not  i  lash  in  strife ; 
For  Zeus  doth  cast  us  from  his  fellowship, 
"  Blood-dropping,  worthy  of  his  utmost  hate."  .  .  . 
For  leaping  down  as  from  the  topmost  height, 

I  on  my  victim  bring 

The  crushing  force  of  feet, 
Limbs  that  o'erthrow  e'en  those  that  swiftly  run, 

An  Ate  hard  to  bear.  "* 

STROPH.  III. 
And  fame  of  men,  though  very  lofty  now 

Beneath  the  clear,  bright  sky, 
Below  the  earth  grows  dim  and  fades  away 
Before  the  attack  of  us,  the  black-robed  ones, 

And  these  our  dancings  wild, 

Which  all  men  loathe  and  hate. 

ANTISTBOPH.  III. 
Falling  in  frenzied  guilt,  he  knows  it  not ; 

So  thick  the  blinding  cloud 

*That  o'er  him  floats ;  and  Rumour  widely  spread 
"With  many  a  sigh  reports  the  dreary  doom, 

A  mist  that  o'er  the  house 

In  gathering  darkness  broods. 

STBOPH.  IV. 
Fixed  is  the  law,  no  lack  of  means  find  we ;  "• 

We  work  out  all  our  will, 

(t)  The  thought  which  underlies  the  obscurity  of  a  corrupt  passage 
•eems  to  be  that,  as  tuey  relieve  the  Gods  from  the  task  of  being  avengers 
of  blood,  all  that  the  Gods  on  their  side  can  legitimately  do  against  them 
is  to  render  powerless  the  prayers  for  vengeance  offered  by  tl  e  kindred 
of  the  slain.  Their  very  isolation,  as  Chthonian  deities,  from  the  Gods  of 
Oiympps  should  protect  them  from  open  conflict.  But  an  alternative 
rendering  of  the  second  line  gives,  perhaps,  a  better  meaning — 
"And  by  the  prayers  men  offer  unto  me 

Work  freedom  for  the  Gods  ;  " 

I.e.,  by  being  the  appointed  receivers  of  such  prayers  for  vengeance,  thej 
leave  the  o  ods  free  lor  a  higher  and  serener  uio. 


312  EOMENIDES. 


We,  the  dread  Powers,  the  registrars  of  crime, 

Whom  mortals  fail  to  soothe, 
Fulfilling  tasks  dishonoured,  unrevered, 

Apart  from  all  the  Gods, 

*In  foul  and  sunless  gloom,1 
Driving  o'er  rough  steep  road  both  those  that  Bee, 

And  those  whose  eyes  are  dark. 

ANTISTROPH.  IV. 

What  mortal  man  then  doth  not  bow  in  awe 

And  fear  before  all  this, 
Hearing  from  me  the  destined  ordinance 

Assigned  me  by  the  Gods  ?  "^ 

This  task  of  mine  is  one  of  ancient  days ; 

Nor  meet  I  here  with  scorn, 

Though  'neuth  the  earth  I  dwell, 
And  live  there  in  the  darkness  thick  and  dense, 

Where  never  sunbeam  falls. 

Enter  ATHENA,  appearing  in  her  chariot,  and  then  alightt. 

Athena.  I  heard  far  off  the  cry  of  thine  entreaty 
E'en  from  Scamandros,2  claiming  there  mine  own, 
The  land  which  all  Achaia's  foremost  leaders, 
As  portion  chief  from  out  the  spoils  of  war, 
Gave  to  me,  trees  and  all,  for  evermore, 
A  special  gift  for  Theseus'  progeny.  ** 

Thence  came  I  plying  foot  that  never  tires, 
Flapping  my  aegis-folds,  no  need  of  wings, 
My  chariot  drawn  by  young  and  vigorous  steeds : 
And  seeing  this  new  presence  in  the  land, 
I  have  no  fear,  though  wonder  fills  mine  eyes ; 
Who,  pray,  are  ye  ?    To  ail  of  you  I  speak, 

!1)  Perhaps,  ""With  torch  of  minings  ploom." 

2)  The  words  con'ain  an  allusion  to  the  dispute  between  Athens  nnd 
Mitylene  in  the  time  ot'Peisistratos,  as  to  t  he  possession  ot  Sigeion.  At  hena 
asserts  that  it  had  been  given  to  her  by  the  whole  body  of  Achaeans  at 
the  time  when  they  had  taken  Troi'a.  Coir.p.  Herod,  w.  94,  95.  it  pro- 
bably entered  into  the  political  purposes  of  the  play  to  excite  the  Athe- 
nians to  a  war  in  this  direction,  so  as  to  draw  them  off  from  the  couaUto* 
tional  changes  pruposed  by  Periclea  and  Ephialtea. 


EUMENIDES.  313 


And  to  this  stranger  at  my  statue  suppliant. 

And  as  for  you,  like  none  of  Nature's  births. 

Nor  seen  by  Gods  among  the  Goddess-forms, 

Nor  yet  in  likeness  of  a  mortal  shape  ....  "* 

But  to  speak  ill  of  neighbours  blameless  found 

Is  far  from  just,  and  Right  holds  back  from  it. 

Chor.  Daughter  of  Zeus,  thou  shalt  learn  all  in  brief; 
Children  are  we  of  everlasting  Night ; 
[At  home,  beneath  the  earth,  they  call  us  Curses.} 

Athena.  Your  race  I  know,  and  whence  ye  take  your 
name. 

Chor.  Thou  shalt  soon  know  then  what  mine  office  is. 

Athena.  Then  could  I  know,  if  ye  clear  speech  would 


Chor.  We  from  their  home  drive  forth  all  murderers. 
Athena.   Where    doth    the    slayer    find    the    goal    of 
flight?  *°° 

Chor.  Where  to  find  joy  in  nought  is  still  his  wont. 
Athena.  And  whirrest  thou  such  flight  on  this  man 

here  ? 

Chor.  Tea,  for  he  thought  it  meet  to  slay  his  mother. 
Athena.  Was  there  no  other  power  whose  wrath,  he 

feared  ? 

Chor.  What  impulse,  then,  should  prick  to  matricide  ? 
Athena.  Two  sides  are  here,  and  I  but  half  have  heard, 
Clior.  But  he  nor  takes  nor  tenders  us  an  oath.1 

(1)  Here,  and  throughout  the  trial,  we  have  to  bear  in  mind  the  tech- 
nicalities of  Ath  nian  mdicial  procedure.  The  prosecutor,  in  the  first 
instanc.-,  tendered  to  the  accused  an  oai  h  that  he  was  not  guilty.  This 
he  might  accept  or  refuse.  In  the  latter  case,  the  course  of  the  trial  was 
at  least  stopped,  and  judgment  might  be  recorded  against  him.  If  he 
oould  bring  himself  to  accept  it,  he  was  acquitted  of  the  special  charge 
of  which  he  was  accused,  but  was  liable  to  a  prosecution  afterwards  for 
that  perjury.  If,  oil  the  other  hand,  he  tendered  an  oath  affirming  hia 

f- lilt  to  the  prosecutor,  he  placed  Himself  in  his  hands.  Orestes,  not 
ping  able  to  deny  the  fact,  will  not  declare  on  oath  that  he  is  "  not 
guilty,  '  but  neither  will  he  place  himseif  in  the  power  of  his  accusers. 
The  peculiarities  of  this  use  of  oaths  were  :  (1.)  That  they  were  taken  by 
the  parties  to  the  suit,  not  by  witnesses.  (2.)  Th:'.t  if  both  parties 
agreed  to  that  mode  of  decision,  the  oath  was  cither  way  decisive.  An 
allusion  to  the  latter  practice  is  foun  1  in  Heb.  vi.  1U,  an  i  traces  of  it  are 
found,  as  the  Yilverton  cause  cetebre  has  recently  reminded  us,  in  the  law- 
proceedings  of  Scotland.  If  either  party  refused,  the  cause  had  to  ba 
tried  in  tie  usual  way,  and  witnesses  weie  called. 


EUMENIDES. 


A  thena.  Thou  lov'st  the  show  of  Justice  more  than  act. 

Chor.  How  so  ?      Inform  me.      Skill  thou  dost  not 
lack! 

Athena.  Tis  not  by  oaths  a  cause  unjust  shall  -win.1  *M 

Chor.  Search  out  the  cause,  then,  and  right  judgment 
judge. 

Athena.  And  would  ye  trust  to  me  to  end  the  cause  ?a 

Chor.  How  else  ?     Thy  worth,  and  worthy  stock  ve 
honour. 

Athena.  Wtat  dost  thou  wish,  0  stranger,  to  reply  ? 
Tell  thou  thy  land,  thy  race,  thy  life's  strange  chance, 
And  then  ward  off  this  censure  aimed  at  thee, 
Since  thou  sitt'st  trusting  in  thy  right,  and  hold'st 
This  mine  own  image,  near  mine  altar  hearth, 
A  suppliant,  like  Ixion,3  honourable. 
Answer  all  this  in  speech  intelligible.  ** 

Orest.  O  Queen  Athena,  from  thy  last  words  starting, 
I  first  will  free  thee  from  a  weighty  care : 
I  am  not  now.defiled :  no  curse  abides 
Upon  the  hand  that  on  thy  statue  rests ; 
And  I  will  give  thee  proof  full  strong  of  this. 
The  law  is  fixed  the  murderer  shall  be  dumb, 
Till  at  the  hand  of  one  who  frees  from  blood, 
The  purple  stream  from  yeanling  swine  run  o'er  Hin ;  * 
Long  since  at  other  houses  these  dread  rites  5 

(1)  .iEschylos  seems  here  to  attach  himself  to  the  principles  of  those 
who  were  seeking  to  reform  the  practice  described  in  the  previous  note 
as  being  at  once  cumbrous  and  unjust,  throwing  its  weight  into  the  scale 
of  the  le>st  scrupulous  conscience,  and  to  urge  a  simpler,  more  straight- 
forward trial.    The  same  objection  is  noticed  by  Aristotle  in  his  discus- 
sion of  the  subject.     (Phet.  i.  15.) 

(2)  Athena  otiers  herself,  not  as  arbitrator  or  sovereign  judge,  but  as 
presiding  over  the  court  of  jurors  whom  she  proceeds  to  appoint. 

(3)  Ixion  appeared  in  the  mythical  history  of  Greece^as  tiie  prototype  of 
all    suppliants   for    purification.     When    he    had  murdered  Deioneus, 
Zeus  had  had  compassion  to   him,  received  him   as  a    guest,  cleansed 
him  from   his  guilt.     His  ingratitude  for  this  service  was  the  special 
fruilt  i  f  his  attempted  outrage  upon  Hera.    The  case  is  mentioned  again 
in  v.  687. 

(4)  In  heathen,  as  in  Jewish  sacrifices,  the  Wood  was  the  vory  instru- 
ment of  purification.     It  was  sprinkled  or  poured  upon  men,  and  they 
became  clean.     But  this  co.ild  not  he  done  by  t  e  criminal  himself,  nor 
by  any  chance  person.    The  service  had  to  be  rendered  b»  a  friend,  who 
M  very  love  ga  e  himself  to  this  mediatorial  work. 

(6)  In  the  legend  :el<ued  by  Pausuniaa  (Corinth,  c.  3),  Truezea  was  tin 


EUMENIDES.  31S 


We  have  gone  through,  slain  victims,  flowing  streams : 

This  care,  then,  I  can  speak  of  now  as  gone. 

And  how  my  lineage  stands  thou  soon  shalt  know : 

An  Argive  I,  my  sire  well  known  to  thee, 

Chief  ruler  of  the  seamen,  Agamemnon, 

"With  whom  thou  madest  Tro'ia,  Ilion's  city, 

To  he  no  city.     He,  when  he  came  home, 

Died  without  honour ;  and  my  dark-souled  mother 

Enwrapt  and  slew  him  with  her  broidered  toils, 

Which  bore  their  witness  of  the  murder  wrought 

There  in  the  bath  ;  and  I,  on  my  return,  *** 

(Till  then  an  exile,)  did  my  mother  kill, 

(That  deed  I'll  not  deny,)  in  forfeit  due 

Of  blood  for  blood  of  father  best  beloved  ; 

And  Loxias,  too,  is  found  accomplice  here, 

Foretelling  woes  that  pricked  my  heart  to  act, 

If  I  did  nought  to  those  accomplices 

In  that  same  crime.     But  thou,  judge  thou  my  cause, 

If  what  I  did  were  right  or  wrong,  and  I, 

Whate'er  the  issue,  will  be  well  content. 

Athena.  Too  great  this  matter,  if  a  mortal  man 
Think  to  decide  it.     Nor  is't  meet  for  me 
To  judge  a  cause  of  murder  stirred  by  wrath ; 
*And  all  the  more  since  thou  with  contrite  soul 
Hast  come  to  this  my  house  a  suppliant, 
Harmless  and  pure.     I  now,  in  spite  of  all, 
Take  thee  as  one  my  city  need  not  blame ; l 
But  these  hold  office  that  forbids  dismissal, 
A»d  should  they  fail  of  victory  in  this  cause, 
Hereafter  from  their  passionate  inood  will  poison* 

first  place  where  Orestes  was  thus  received,  and  in  his  time  the  descen- 
dants of  those  who  had  thus  helped  held  periodical  feasts  in  commemora- 
tion of  it. 

U)  The  course  which  Athena  takes  is:  (1.)  to  receive  Orestes  as  a 
•ettler  wi  h  the  rights  which  attached  to  such  persons  on  Athenian 
•oil,  not  a  criminal  fugitive  to  be  simply  surrendered ;  (2.)  to  offer  to 
the  Erinnyes,  as  being:  loo  important  to  be  put  out  of  court,  a  fair  and  open 
trial ;  (3.)  to  acknowledge  that  he  and  they  are  equally  "  blamelfcs,"  aa 
far  as  she  is  concerned.  She  ha*  no  complaint  to  make  of  them. 

(2)  The  red  blight  of  vines  and  wheat  was  looked  on  as  caused  by  drop* 
of  blood  which  the  Erinnyes  had  let  fall. 


EUMENIDKS. 


Fall  on  the  land,  disease  intolerable, 

And  lasting  for  all  time.     E'en  thus  it  stands ; 

And  both  alike,  their  staying  or  dismissal, 

Are  unto  me  perplexing  and  disastrous. 

But  since  the  matter  thus  hath  come  on  me,  ** 

I  will  appoint  as  judges  of  this  murder 

Men  bound  by  oath,  a  law  for  evermore ; l 

And  ye,  call  ye  your  proofs  and  witnesses, 

Sworn  pledges  given  to  help  the  cause  of  right. 

And  I,  selecting  of  my  citizens 

Those  who  are  best,  will  come  again  that  they 

May  judge  this  matter  truly,  taking  oaths 

To  utter  nought  against  the  law  of  right.  [Exit. 

STEOPH.  I. 

Chor.  Now  will  there  be  an  outbreak  of  new  laws : 

If  victory  shall  rest 
Upon  the  wrong  right  of  this  matricide,  *• 

This  deed  will  proinpt  forthwith 
All  mortal  men  to  callous  recklessness. 

And  many  deaths,  I  trow, 
At  children's  hands  their  parents  now  await 

Through  all  the  time  to  come. 

ANTISTROPH.  I. 
For  since  no  wrath  on  evil  deeds  will  creep 

Henceforth  from  those  who  watch 
With  wild,  tierce  souls  the  evil  deeds  of  men, 

I  will  let  loose  all  crime  ; 
*And  each  from  each  shall  seek  in  eager  quest, 

*Speaking  of  neighbours'  ills, 
*For  pause  and  lull  of  woes ; 2  yet  wretched  man, 

He  speaks  of  cures  that  fail. 

(1)  Stress  is  laid  on  the  fact  that  the  judges  of  the  Areopagos,  fa  con- 
trast with  those  of  the  inferior  tribunes  of  Athens,  discharged  their  duty 
under  the  sanction  of  an  oath. 

(2)  Perhaps 

"  And  each  from  each  shall  learn,  as  he  predicts 

His  neighbour's  ills,  that  he 

Shares  in  the  same  and  harbours  them,  and  speaia, 
i'oor  wretch,  oi  cores  that  tail." 


EUMENIDKS.  317 


STBOPH.  IL 

Henceforth  let  none  call  us, 

When  smitten  by  mischance, 

Uttering  this  cry  of  prayer, 
"  O  Justice,  and  0  ye,  Erinnyes'  thrones !  '* 
Such  wail,  perchance,  a  father  then  shall  utter, 

Or  mother  newly  slain, 
Since,  fallen  low,  the  shrine  of  Justice  now 

Lies  prostrate  in  the  dust.  <9* 

AXTISTROPH.  El.  „ 

There  are  with  whom  'tis  well 

That  awe  should  still  abide, 

As  watchman  o'er  their  souls. 
Calm  wisdom  gained  by  sorrow  profits  much : 
For  who  that  in  the  gladness  of  his  heart, 

Or  man  or  commonwealth, 
Has  nought  of  this,  would  bow  before  the  Eight 

Humbly  as  heretofore  ? l 
STEOPH.  III. 

Praise  not  the  lawless  life,  ** 

Nor  that  which  owns  a  despot's  sovereignty ; 
To  the  true  mean  in  all  God  gives  success,* 

And  with  far  other  mood, 

On  other  course  looks  on ; 
And  I  will  say,  with  this  in  harmony, 
That  Pride  is  truly  child  of  Godlessness  ; 

While  from  the  soul's  true  health 
Comes  the  fair  fortune,  loved  of  all  mankind, 

And  aim  of  many  a  prayer. 

ASTISTBOPH.  III. 

And  now,  I  say  in  sum,  m 

(1)  At  a  more  advanced  period  of  human  thonght,  Cieero  (Oral.  pr» 
Knscio,  c  24)  could  poin1  to  the  "  thoughts  that  accuse  each  other,"  the 
h  >rror  and  remorse  of  the  criminal,  as  the  true  Erinnyes,  the  "  assiduw 
domesticaeque  furies."    ^Eschylos  clings  to  the  mythical  symbolism  an 
indispensable  for    the  preservation  of   the  truth  "which    it    shadowed 
forth. 

(2)  Once  again  we  have  the  poet  of  constitutional  conversation  keeping 
the  via  undtM  between  feisiatratoc  aud  1'encles. 


318  '    EUMENIDES. 


Revere  the  altar  reared  to  Justice  high, 
Nor,  thine  eye  set  on  gain,  with  godless  foot 

Treat  it  contemptuously : 

For  wrath  shall  surely  come ; 
The  appointed  end  abide th  still  for  all. 
Thorei'oT3  let  each  he  found  full  honour  giving* 

To  parents,  and  to  those, 
The  honoured  guests  that  gather  in  his  house, 

Let  him  due  reverence  show. 

STEOPH.  IV. 
And  one  who  of  his  own  free  will  is  just,  ** 

Not  by  enforced  constraint, 

He  shall  not  be  unblest, 
Nor  can  he  e'er  be  utterly  o'erthrown ; 
But  he  that  dareth,  and  trans<,rresseth  all, 

In  wild,  confused  deeds, 

Where  Justice  is  not  soen, 
I  Bay  that  he  perforce,  as  time  wears  on, 

Will  have  to  take  in  sail, 
When  trouble  make  him  hers,  and  each  yard-arm 

Is  shivered  by  the  blast. 

ANTISTBOPH:  IV. 

And  then  he  calls  on  those  who  hear  him  not, 

And  struggles  all  in  vain, 

In  the  fierce  waves'  mid- whirl ; 

And  God  still  mocks  the  man  of  fevered  mood,  "• 

When  he  sees  him  who  bragged  it  ne'er  would  come, 

With  woes  inextricable 

Worn  out,  and  failing  still 
To  weather  round  the  perilous  promontory; 

And  for  all  time  to  come, 

Wrecking  on  reefs  of  Vengeance  bliss  once  high, 
He  dies  unwept,  unseen. 

The    scene  changes    to   the  Areopagot.       Enter  ATHENA, 
followed  by  Herald  and  twelve  Athenian  citizens. 

Athena.  Cry  out,  0  herald ;  the  groat  host  hold  back ; 


EUMENIDES.  319 


Then  let  Tyrrhenian  trumpet,1  piercing  heaven, 
Filled  with  man's  breath,  to  all  that  host  send  forth 
The  full-toned  notes,  for  while  this  council-hall  "* 

Is  filling,  it  is  meet  men  hold  their  peace. 

[Herald  blows  his  trumpet. 
And  let  the  city  for  all  time  to  come 
Learn  these  my  laws,  and  this  accuser!  one  too, 
That  so  the  trial  may  be  rightly  judged.2 

[As  ATHENA  speaks,  APOLLO  enters. 

Chor.  0  King  Apollo,  rule  thou  o'er  thine  own ; 
But  what  hast  thou  to  do  with  this  our  cause  ? 

Apol.  I  am  come  both  as  witness, — for  this  man 
Is  here  as  suppliant,  that  on  my  hearth  sat, 
And  I  his  cleanser  am  from  guilt  of  blood,— 
And  to  plead  for  him  as  his  advocate  : 
I  bear  the  blame  of  that  his  mother's  death. 
But  thou,  whoe'er  dost  act  as  president, 
Open  the  suit  in  way  well  known  to  thee.8  ew 

Athena,   [to  the  Eriunyes.~\  'Tis  yours  to  speak;  I  thus 

the  pleadings  open, 

For  so  the  accuser,  speaking  first,  shall  have, 
Of  right,  the  task  to  state  the  case  to  us. 

Chor.  Many  are  we,  but  briefly  will  we  speak ; 
And  answer  thou  [to  OKESTES],  in  thy  turn,  word  for 

word; 
First  tell  us  this,  did'st  thou  thy  mother  slay  ? 

Crest .  I  slew  her :  of  that  fact  is  no  denial. 

Chor.  Here,  then,  is  one  of  our  three  bouts4  decided. 

(t)  The  Tyrrhenian  trumpet,  with  its  bent  and  twisted  tube,  retained 
its  proverbial  pre-eminence  from  the  days  of  ^Bschylos  and  Sophocles, 
(Aias,  17)  to  those  of  Virgil,  (sEn.,  viii.  526.) 

(2)  The  fondness  of  the  Athenians  for  litigation,  and  the  large  share 
which  every  citizen  took  in  the  administration  of  justice,  woul  1  probablj 
make  the  scene  which  follows,  wi  h  all  its  technicalities,  the  part  of  the 
play  into  which  they  would  most  tn^er. 

(3)  It  was  necessary  that  some  one,  sitting  as  President  of  the  Court, 
•tumid  formally  open  the  pleadings,  by  calling  on  this  side  or  that  to  begin, 
liere  Athena  takes  that  office  on  herself,  and  calls  on  the  Erinnyes. 

(4)  The  technicalities  of  the  Areopagos  are  still  kept  up.     The  three 
points  on  which  the  Erinnyes,  as  prosecutors,  lay  stress  are :  (I.)  the  fact 
of  the  murder ;  (2.)  the  mode ;  (3.)  the  motive.     "  Three  bouts,"  as  refer- 
ring to  the  rule  of  the  arena,  that  three  struggles  for  the  mastery  shoulJ 
be 


320  EUMENIDKS. 


Oreat.  Thou  boastest    this  o'er  one  noc  yet  thrown 

down.  *•* 

Chor.  This  thou  at  least  must  tell,  how  thou  did'st  slay 

her. 

Orest.  E'en  so  ;  her  throat  I  cut  with  hand  sword-armed. 
Chor.  By  whom  persuaded,  and  with  whose  advice  ? 
Orest.  [Pointing  to  APOLLO.]  By  His  divine  command : 

He  bears  me  witness. 

Chor.  The  prophet- God  prompt  thee  to  matricide  ! 
Orest.  Yea,  and  till  now  I  do  not  blame  my  lot. 
Chor.  Nay,  when  found  guilty,  soon  thou'lt  change  thy 

tone. 

Orest.  I  trust  my  sire  will  send  help  from  the  tomb. 
Chor.  Trust    in    the    dead,    thou    murderer    of   thy 

mother ! 

Orest.  Yes ;  for  in  her  two  great  pollutions  met. 
Chor.  How  so,  I  pray  ?     Inform  the  court  of  this. 
Orest.  She  both  her  husband  and  my  father  slew. 
Chor.  Nay  then,   thou  liv'st,  and  she  gets  quit  by 

death. 
Orest.  Why,  while  she  lived,  did'st  thou  to  chase  her 

fail? 

Chor.  The  man  she  slew  was  not  of  one  blood  with  her.1 
Orest.  And  does  my  mother's  blood  then  flow  in  me  f 
Chor.  E'en  so ;  how  else,  O  murderer,  reared  she  thee 
Within  her  womb  ?    Disown'st  thou  mother's  blood  ? 
Greet.  [Turning  to  APOLLO.]  Now  bear  thou  witness,  and 

declare  to  me, 

Apollo,  if  I  slew  her  righteously ; 
For  I  the  deed,  as  fact,  will  not  deny. 
But  whether  right  or  wrong  this  deed  of  blood 
Seem  in  thine  eyes,  judge  thou  that  these  may  hear. 


upon  cms  me  rest  01  tne  discussion  turns,  vresi  ea,  oiiu  Apuuu  oa  i 
counsel,  on  the  other  .hand,  meet  this  with  the  rejoinder,  that  there  is 
blood-i-elatiouslup  between  the  mother  and  bur  ollt>priug. 


EUMENIDES. 


Apol.  I  will  to  you.  Athena's  solemn  council, 
Speak  truly,  and  as  prophet  will  not  lie. 
Ne'er  have  I  spoken  on  prophetic  throne, 
Of  man,  or  woman,  or  of  commonwealth, 
But  as  great  Zeus,  Olympian  Father,  bade; 
And  that  ye  learn  how  much  this  plea  avails, 
I  bid  you  [Turning  to  the  court  of  jurymen]  follow  out  my 
Father's  will ;  6M 

No  oath  can  be  of  greater  might  than  Zeus.1 

Clior.  Zeus,  then,  thou  say'st,  did  prompt  the  oracle 
That  this  Orestes  here,  his  father's  blood 
Avenging,  should  his  mother's  rights  o'erthrow? 

Apol.  'Tis  a  quite  other  thing  tor  hero-chief. 
Bearing  the  honour  of  Zeus-given  sceptre, 
To  die,  and  at  a  woman's  hands,  not  e'en 
By  swift,  strong  dart,  from  Amazonian  bow,1 
But  as  thou,  Pallas,  now  shalt  hear,  and  those 
Who  sit  to  give  their  judgment  in  this  cause ;  "* 

For  when  he  came  successful  from  the  trade 
Of  war  with  largest  gains,  receiving  him 
With  kindly  words  of  praise,  she  spread  a  robe 
Over  the  bath,  yes,  even  o'er  its  edge, 
As  he  was  bathing,  and  entangling  him 
In  endless  folds  of  cloak  of  cunning  work, 
She  strikes  her  lord  down.     Thus  the  tale  is  told 
Of  her  lord's  murder,  chief  whom  all  did  honour, 
The  ships'  great  captain.     So  I  tell  it  out, 
E'en  as  it  was,  to  thrill  the  people's  hearts, 
Who  now  are  set  to  give  their  verdict  here. 

Chor.  Zeus  then  a  father's  death,  as  thou  dost  say,    *** 
Of  highest  moment  holds,  yet  He  himself 
Bound  fast  in  chains  his  aged  father,  Cronos ; ! 

(1)  8e.,  Their  oath  to  give  a  verdict  according  to  the  evidence  must 
yield  to  the  higher  obligation  of  following  the  Divine  will  rather  than  the 
letter  of  the  law. 

(2)  To  have  died  in  health  by  the  arrows  of  a  woman-warrior  might 
have  been  borne.    To  be  slain  by  a  wife  treacherously  in  his  bath  was  to 
endure  a  far   \  orse  outrage. 

(3)  In  this  new  argument,  and  the  answer  to  it,  we  may  trace,  as  in  th« 
Prometticus  and  the  Agamemnon,  the  struggles  of  the  questioning  intellect 

¥ 


$22  EUMENIDES. 


Are  not  thy  words  at  variance  -with  the  facts? 

1  cull  on  you  [Tu  the  Court]  to  witness  what  he  says. 

ApvL  O  hateful  creatures,  loathed  of  the  Gods, 
Those  chains  may  be  undone,  that  wrong  be  cured, 
And  many  a  means  of  rescue  may  be  found  : 
But  when  the  dust  has  drunk  the  blood  of  men, 
No  resurrection  comes  for  one  that's  dead  : 
No  charm  for  these  things  hath  my  sire  devised; 
But  all  things  else  he  turneth  up  or  down,  *" 

And  orders  without  toil  or  weariness.1 

Chor.  Take  heed  how  thou  help  this  man  to  escape  ; 
Shall  ho  who  stained  earth  with  his  mother's  blood 
Then  dwell  in  Argos  in  his  father's  house  ? 
What  public  altars  can  he  visit  now  ? 
What  lustral  rite  of  clan  or  tribe  admit  him  ?z 

Apol.  This  too  I'll  say  ;  judge  thou  if  I  speak  right : 
The  mother  is  not  parent  of  the  child 
That  is  called  hers,  but  nurse  of  embryo  sown. 
He  that  begets  is  parent : 3  she,  as  stranger, 
For  stranger  rears  the  scion,  if  God  mar  not ; 
And  of  this  fact  I'll  give  thee  proof  full  sure. 
A  father  there  may  be  without  a  mother : 
Here  nigh  at  hand,  as  witness,  is  the  child 
Of  high  Olympian  Zeus,  for  she  not  e'en 
Was  nurtured  in  the  darkness  of  the  womb,* 

apainst  the  more  startling  elements  of  the  populnr  religious  belief.  Zeni 
is  worshipped  as  the  supreme  Lord,  yet  His  dominion  seenis  founded  on 
might  as  opposed  to  goodness,  on  the  unrighteous  expulsion  of  another. 
Here,  in  Apollo's  answer,  there  is  the  glimmer  of  a  possible  reconcilia- 
tion. The  old  and  the  new,  the  sovereignty  of  Cronos  and  that  of  Zeu« 
may  be  reconciled,  and  one  supreme  God  be  "all  in  all." 

(1)  Comp.  the  thought  and  language  of  the  Suppliants,  v.  93. 

(2)  Trie  last  ai  jument  is,  that  the  acquittal  can  be,  at  the  best,  partial 
only,  not  compleio ;  formal,  not  real.    There  would  remain  for  ever  the 
pollution  whicn  would  exclude  Orestes  from  the  Pkratria.  the  clan-bro- 
theriiood,  by  which,  as  by  a  sacramental  bond,  all  the  members  were  held 
together. 

(3)  The  question  seems  to  have  been  one  of  those  which  occupied  men'g 
minds  in  their  tirst  gropings  towards  the  mysteries  of  man's  physical  life, 
and  both  popular  metaphors  and  primaiy  impressions  were  in  favour  of 
the  hypothesis  here  maintained.    Euripides  (Orest.,  v.  534)  puts  the  same 
argument  into  the  mouth  of  Orestes. 

(4)  The  story  of  Athena's  birth,  full-grown,  from  the  head  of  Zeus,  if 
next  r  if  erred  to  as  the  leading  case  bearing  on  the  point  at  issue. 


EUMENIDES. 


Yet  such  a  scion  may  no  God  beget. 

I,  both  in  all  else,  Pallas,  as  I  know, 

Will  make  thy  city  and  thy  people  great, 

And  now  this  man  have  sent  as  suppliant 

Upon  thy  hearth,  that  he  may  faithful  prove  •** 

Now  and  for  ever,  and  that  thou,  0  Goddess, 

May'st  gain  him  as  ally,  and  all  his  race, 

And  that  it  last  as  law  for  evermore, 

That  these  men's  progeny  our  treaties  own. 

Athena.  \_Tu  jurors.]  I  bid  you  give,  according  to  your 

conscience, 
A  verdict  just ;  enough  has  now  been  said. 

Chor.  We  have  shot  forth  our  every  weapon  now : 
I  wait  to  hear  what  way  the  strife  is  judged. 

Athena.  \_To  Chorus.']  How  shall  I  order  this,  unblamed 
by  you  ? 

Chor.  [To  jurors. ,]  Ye  heard  what  things  ye  heard, 

and  in  your  hearts 
Eeverenoe  your  oaths,  and  give  your  votes,  0  friends.   "* 

Athena.  Hear  ye  my  order,  O  ye  Attic  people, 
In  act  to  judge  your  first  great  murder-cause. 
And  henceforth  shall  the  host  of  JEgeus'  race l 
For  ever  own  this  council-hall  of  judges  t 
And  for  tliis  Ares'  hill,  the  Amazons'  seat 
And  camp  when  they,  enraged  with  Theseus,  came* 
In  hostile  march,  and  built  as  counterwork 
This  citadel  high-reared,  a  city  new, 

(1)  Here,  of  course,  the  political  interest  of  the  whole  drama  reached  ito 
highest  point.      What    seems  comparatively    flat  to  us  must,  to  the 
thousands  who  sat  as  spectators,  have  been  fraught  with  the  most  intense 
excitement,  showing  itself  in  shouts  of  applause,  or  audible  tokens  of 
clamorous  dissent.    The  rivalry  of  Whigs  and  Tories  over  Addison'i 
Onto,  the  sensation  produced  in  times  of  Papal  aggression  by  the  king'* 
answer  to  1'andulph  in  King  John,  present  analogies  which  are  worth 
remembering. 

(2)  The  story  ran  that  the  tribe  of  women-warriors  from  the  Cancasos, 
et  th.3  Thermodon,  known  by   this  name,  had  invaded  Attica  under 
Oreithyia,  when  Theseus  was  kinsr,  to  revenge  the  wrongs  he  had  dona 
them,  and  to  recover  her  sister  Hippolyta.    Ares,  the  God  of  Thrakians, 
Skythians,  and  nearly  all  the  wilder  barbaric  tribes,  was  their  special 
deity ;  and  when  they  occupied  the  hill  which  rose  over  against  the  Acro- 
polis, they  sacrificed  to  him,  and  BO  it  gained  the  name  of  the  Ar 

oc  "hill  of  Ares." 


324  EUMENIDES. 


And  sacrificed  to  Ares,  whence  'tis  named 

As  Ares'  hill  and  fortress :  in  this,  I  say,  *•• 

The  reverent  awe  its  citizens  shull  own, 

And  fear,  awe's  kindred,  shall  restrain  from  wrong 

By  day,  nor  less  by  night,  so  long  as  they, 

The  burghers,  alter  not  themselves  their  laws : 

But  if  with  drain  of  filth  and  tainted  soil 

Clear  river  thou  pollute,  no  drink  thoult  find.1 

I  give  my  counsel  to  you,  citizens, 

To  reverence  and  guard  well  that  form  of  state 

Which  is  nor  lawless,  nor  tyrannical, 

And  not  to  cast  all  fear  from  out  the  city ;  * 

For  what  man  lives  devoid  of  fear  and  just  P 

But  rightly  shrinking,  owning  awe  like  this,  *" 

Ye  then  would  have  a  bulwark  of  your  land, 

A  safeguard  for  your  city,  such  as  none 

Boast  or  in  Skythia's3  or  in  Pelops'  clime. 

This  council  I  establish  pure  from  bribe, 

Beverend,  and  keen  to  act,  for  those  that  sleep  * 

An  ever-watchful  sentry  of  the  land. 

This  charge  of  mine  I  thus  have  lengthened  out 

For  you,  my  people,  for  all  time  to  come. 

And  now  'tis  meet  ye  rise,  and  take  your  ballots,* 

(1)  As  in  the  Agamemnon,  (v.  1010,)  so  here  we  find  the  aristocratie 
conservative  poet  showing  his  colours  protesting  against  the  admission  to 
the  Archonship,  and  therefore  to  the  Areopagos,  of  men  of  low  birth  or 
in  undignified  employments. 

(2)  The  words,  like  all  political  clap-trap,  are  somewhat  vague ;  but,  as 
understood  at  the  time,  the   "lawless"  policy  alluded  to  was  that  of 
Pericles  and  Ephialtes,  who  sought  to  deface  and  to  diminish  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Areopagos,  and  the  •'  tyrannical,"  lhat  which  had  crushed 
the  independence  01  Athens  und^r  Peisistratos.    Between  the  two  wag 
the  conservative  party,  of  which  Kimon  had  been  the  leader. 

(3)  The  Skythians  may  be  named  simply  as  representing  all  barbaroui, 
non-Hellenic  races  ;  but  they  appear,  about  this  time,  wild  and  nomadio 
as  their  life  was,  to  have  impressed  the  minds  of  the  Greeks  somewhat  in 
the  same  way  as  the  Germans  did  the  minds  of  the  Romans  in  the  time  of 
Tacitus.    Tales  floated  from  travellers'  lips  of  their  wisdom  and  their 
happiness — of  sages  like  Zamolxis  and  Aristarchos,  who  rivalled  those  of 
Hellas—  of  the  Hyperborei,  in  the  far  north,  who  enjoyed  a  perpetual  and 
unequalled  blessedness.— Comp.  Libation-Pourers,  v.  366. 

(4)  Two  topics  ol  praise  are  briefly  touched  on  .  (1.)  the  lower,  popular 
courts  of  justice  at  Athens  might  be  open  to  the  suspicion  of  corruption, 
but  no  breath  of  slander  had  ever  tainted  the  fame  ot  the  Areopagos  ;  (2.) 
it  met  by  night,  keeping  its  watch,  that  the  citizen!)  might  sleep  in  peace. 

(5]  The  nrat  of  tie  twelve  jurymen  rises  and  drops  his  voting-ballot 


EUMENIDES.  325 


And  so  decide  the  cause,  maintaining  still 

Your  reverence  for  your  oath.     My  speech  is  said. 

Chor.  And  I  advise  you  not  to  treat  with  scorn 
A  troop  that  can  sit  heavy  on  your  land. 

Apol.  And  I  do  bid  you  dread  my  oracles, 
And  those  of  Zeus,  nor  rob  them  of  their  fruit. 

Chor.  Uncalled  thou  com'st  to  take  a  murderer's  part ; 
No  longer  pure  thu  oracles  thou'lt  speak. 

Apol.  And  did  my  father  then  in  purpose  err, 
Then  the  first  murderer  he  received,  Ixion  ? l 

Chor.  Thou  talk'st,  but  should  I  fail  in  this  my  cause, 
I  will  again  dwell  here  and  vex  this  land. 

Apol.   Alike  among  the  new  Gods  and  the  old 
Art  thou  dishonoured  :  I  shall  win  the  day. 

Chor.  This  did'st  thou  also  in  the  house  of  Pheres,* 
Winning  the  Fates  to  make  a  man  immortal. 

Apol.  Was  it  not  just  a  worshipper  to  bless 
In  any  case, — then  most,  when  he's  in  want  ? 

Chor.  Thou  did'st  o'erthrow,  yea,   thou,   laws  hoear 

with  age, 
And  drug  with  wine  the  ancient  Goddesses.8 

Apol.  Nay,  thou,  non-suited  in  this  cause  of  thine, 
Shalt  venom  spit  that  nothing  hurts  thy  foes. 

Chor.  Since  thou,  though  young,  dost  ride  me  down, 

though  old, 

I  wait  to  hear  the  issue  of  the  cause, 
Still  wavering  in  my  wrath  against  this  city. 

into  one  of  the  nrns,  and  is  followed  by  another  at  the  end  of  each  of  the 
•hort  two-line  speeches  in  the  dialogue  that  follows.  The  two  urns  of 
acquittal  and  condemnation  stand  in  front  of  them.  The  plan  of  voting 
with  different  coloured  balls  (black  and  white)  in  the  same  urn,  was  a 
later  usage. 

(1)  Campare  note  on  v.  419. 

(2)  In  the  legend  of  Admetos  son  of  Pheres,  and  king  of  Pherw  in 
Thessalia,  Apollo    is  represented  as    havin  r  fl  st  given  wine    to  the 
1'estinies,  and  then  persuaded  them  to  allow  Admetos,  whenever  the  hour 
of  death  should  come,  to  be  redeemed  from  Hades,  if  father,  or  mother, 
or  wife  were  willing  to  die  for  him.     The  self-surrender  of  his  wife, 
Alkestis,  for  this  purpose,  forms  the  subject  of  the  noblest  of  the  tragedies 
of  Euripides. 

(3)  Partly  as  setting  at  nought  the  power  of  Erinnyes  and  the  Desti- 
nies, partly  as  giving  wine  to  those  whose  libations   were  wioelew.— 
Comp.  Sophocles,  (Ed.  Col.  v.  100. 


EUMENIDES. 


Athena.  'Tis  now  my  task  to  close  proceedings  here; 
And  this  my  vote  I  to  Orestes  arid ; 
For  I  no  mother  own  that  brought  me  forth, 
And  saving  that  I  wed  not,  I  prefer 
The  male  with  all  my  heart,  and  make  mine  own 
The  father's  cause,  nor  will  above  it  place 
A  woman's  death,  who  slew  hor  own  true  lord, 
The  guardian  of  her  house.     Orestes  wins,  ™ 

E'en  though  the  votes  be  equal.  Cast  ye  forth. 
With  all  your  speed  the  lots  from  out  the  urns, 
Ye  jurors  unto  whom  that  office  falls. 

Great.  Phoebos  Apollo!  what  will  be  the  judgment? 

CJtor.  Dark  Night,  my  mother  !  dost  thou  look  on  this  ? 

Orest.  My  goal  is  now  the  noose,  or  full,  clear  day. 

Chor.  Ours  too  to  come  to  nought,  or  work  on  still. 
\_A  pause.     The  jurors  take    out  the  voting  tablet* 
from  the  two  urns  (one  of  bronze,  the  other  of 
wood]  for  acquittal  or  condemnation. 

Apol.  Now  count  ye  up  the  votes  thrown  out,  0  friends. 
And  be  ye  honest,  as  ye  reckon  them  ; 
One  sentence  lacking,  sorrow  great  majr  come, 
And  one  vote  given  hath  ofttimes  saved  a  house. 

\A  pause,  during  which  the  urns  are  emptied  and 
the  votes  are  counted. 

Athena.  The  accused  is  found   "not  guilty"  of  the 

murder : 
For  lo  !  the  numbers  of  the  votes  are  equal.1 

Orest.  0  Pallas,  thou  who  hast  redeemed  my  house, 
Thou,  thou  hast  brought  me  back  when  I  had  been 
Bereaved  of  fatherland,  and  Hellenes  now 
Will  say,  "  The  man's  an  Argive  once  again, 
And  dwells  upon  his  father's  heritage, 
Because  of  Pallas  and  of  Loxias, 
And  Zeus,  the  true  third  Saviour,  all  o'erruling, 
Who,  touched  with  pity  for  my  father's  fate, 

(1)  The  practice  of  the  Areopagos  is  accurately  reproduced.  When  the 
votes  of  the  judg:  .s  were  equal  a  casting  vote  was  given  in  favour  of  tb« 
iccused.  oiid  was  known  as  that  of  Athena. 


EU1IENIDES.  317 


Saves  me,  beholding  these  my  mother's  pleaders." 

And  I  will  now  wend  homewurd,  giving  pledge 

To  this  thy  country  and  its  valiant  host, 

To  stand  as  firm  for  hencefrn-th  and  for  ever, 

That  no  man  henceforth,  chief  of  Argive  land, 

Shall  bring  against  it  spearmen  well  equipped : 

For  we  ourselves,  though  in  our  sepulchres, 

On  those  who  shall  transgress  these  oaths  of  ours, 

Will  with  inextricable  evils  work, 

Making  their  paths  disheartening,  and  their  ways 

Ill-omened,  that  they  may  their  toil  repent. 

But  if  these  oaths  be  kept,  to  those  who  honour 

This  city  of  great  Pallas,  our  ally, 

Then  we  to  them  are  more  propitious  yet. 

Farewell  then,  Thou,  and  these  who  guard  thy  city. 

Mayst  thou  so  wrestle  that  thy  foes  escape  not, 

And  so  win  victory  and  deliverance  1 

STBOPRK. 

C7ior.  Ah !  ah  !  ye  younger  God ! 
Ye  have  ridden  down  the  Liws  of  ancient  days, 

And  robbed  me  of  my  prey. 
But  I,  dishonoured,  wretched,  full  of  wrath, 

Upon  this  land,  ha !  ha  ! 
Will  venom,  venom  from  my  heart  let  fall, 

In  vengeance  for  my  grief, 

A  dropping  which  shall  smite 

The  earth  with  barrenness  ! 

And  thence  shall  come,  (0  Vengeance  !)  on  the  plain 
Down  swooping,  blight  of  leaves  and  murrain  du« 
That  o'er  the  land  flings  taint  of  pestilence. 

Shall  I  then  wail  and  groan  ? 

Or  what  else  shall  I  do  ? 
Stall  I  become  a  woe  intolerable 
Unto  these  men  for  wrongs  I  have  endured  P 

Great,  very  great  are  they, 
Ye  virgin  daughters  of  dim  Night,  ill-doomed, 

Born  both  to  shame  and  woe  I 


328  EUMENIDES. 


Athena.  Nay,  list  to  me,  and  be  not  over-grieved; 
Ye  have  not  been  defeated,  but  the  cause 
Came  fairly  to  a  tie,  no  shame  to  thee. 
But  the  clear  evidence  of  Zeus  was  given, 
And  he  who"  spake  it  bare  his  witness  too 
That,  doing  this,  Orestes  should  not  suffer. 
Hurl  ye  not  then  fierce  rage  on  this  my  land ; 
Nor  be  ye  wroth,  nor  work  ye  barrenness, 
*By  letting  fall  the  drops  of  evil  Powers,1 
The  baleful  influence  that  consumes  all  seed. 
For  lo  !  I  promise,  promise  faithfully, 
That,  seated  on  your  hearths  with  shining  thrones, 
Ye  shall  find  cavern  homes  in  righteous  land, 
Honoured  and  worshipped  by  these  citizens. 

ANTISTROPHB. 

Chor.  Ah !  ah !  ye  younger  Gods ! 
Ye  have  ridden  down  the  laws  of  ancient  days, 

And  robbed  me  of  my  prey. 
And  I,  dishonoured,  wretched,  full  of  wrath, 

Upon  this  land,  ha !  ha ! 
Will  venom,  venom  from  my  heart  let  fall, 

In  vengeance  for  my  grief, 

A  dropping  which  shall  smite 

The  earth  with  barrenness ! 

And  thence  shall  come,  (O  Vengeance  !)  on  the  plain 
Down -swooping,  blight  of  leaves  and  murrain  dire 
That  o'er  the  land  flings  taint  of  pestilence. 

Shall  I  then  wail  and  groan  ? 

Or  what  else  shall  I  do  ? 
Shall  I  become  a  woe  intolerable 
Unto  these  men  for  wrongs  I  have  endured  ? 

Great,  very  great  are  they, 
Ye  virgin  daughters  of  dim  Night,  ill-doomed, 

Born  both  to  shame  and  woe ! 
Atlena.  Ye  are  not  left  unhonoured ;  be  not  hot 
In  wrath,  ye  Goddesses,  to  mar  man's  land, 

(1)  Another  reading  pivea — 

"  By  spurting  from  year  throats  those  venom  drop*.* 


KUMENIDES.  329 


I  too,  yes  I,  trust  Zeus.     Need  I  say  more  ? 

I  only  of  the  high  Gods  know  the  keys 

Of  chambers  where  the  sealed-up  thunder  lies ; 

But  that  I  have  no  need  of.    List  to  me, 

Nor  cast  upon  the  earth  thy  rash  tongue's  fruit, 

That  brings  to  all  things  failure  and  distress ; 

Lull  thou  the  bitter  storm  of  that  dark  surge, 

As  dwelling  with  me,  honoured  and  revered ; 

And  thou  with  first-fruits  of  this  wide  champaign, 

Offerings  for  children's  birth  and  wedlock-rites, 

Shalt  praise  these  words  of  mine  for  evermore. 

Chor.  That  I  should  suffer  this,  fie  on  it !  fie ! 
That  I,  with  thoughts  of  hoar  antiquity,1 

Should  now  in  this  land  dwell, 

Dishonoured,  deemed  a  plague ! 
I  breathe  out  rage,  and  every  form  of  wrath. 

Oh,  Earth  !  fie  on  it !  £? ! 
What  pang  is  this  that  thrills  through  all  my  breast  P 

Hear  thou,  0  mother  Night, 

Hear  thou  my  vehement  wrath ! 
For  lo  !  deceits  that  none  can  wrestle  with 
Have  thrust  me  out  from  honours  old  of  Gods, 

And  made  a  thing  of  nought. 

Athena.  Thy  wrath  I'll  bear,  for  thou  the  elder  art,  M* 
[And  wiser  too  in  that  respect  than  I ;] 
Yet  to  me  too  Zeus  gave  no  wisdom  poor ; 
And  ye,  if  ye  an  alien  country  seek, 
Shall  yearn  in  love  for  this  land.    This  I  tell  you; 
For  to  this  people  Time,  as  it  runs  on, 
Shall  come  with  fuller  honours,  and  if  thou 
Hast  honoured  seat  hard  by  Erechtheus'  home, 
Thou  shalt  from  men  and  women  reap  such  gifts 
As  thou  would' st  never  gain  from  other  mortals ; 
But  in  these  fields  of  mine  be  slow  to  cast  *• 

Whetstones  of  murder's  knife,  to  young  hearts  bale, 

(1)  The  conservative  poet  enters  his  protest  through  the  Erinnyea 
against  the  innovating  spirit  that  looked  with  contempt  upon  the  princi- 
ple* of  a  pant  agu. 


33°  EUMENIDKS. 


Frenzied  with  maddened  passion,  not  of  wine; 

Nor,  as  transplanting  hearts  of  fighting-cocks,1 

Make  Ares  inmate  with  my  citizens, 

In  evil  discord,  and  intestine  broils ; 

Let  them  have  war  without,  not  scantily, 

For  him.  who  feels  the  passionate  thirst  of  fame : 

Battle  of  home-bred  birds  .  .  I  name  it  not ; 

This  it  is  thine  to  choose  as  gift  from  me  ; 

Well-doing,  well-entreated,  and  well-honoured,  ** 

To  share  the  land  best  loved  of  all  the  Gods. 

Chor.  That  I  should  suffer  this,  fie  on  it !  no  I 
That  I,  with  thoughts  of  hoar  antiquity, 

Should  now  in  this  land  dwell, 

Dishonoured,  deemed  a  plague, 
I  breathe  out  rage,  and  every  form  of  wrath ; 

Ah,  Earth  !  fie  on  it !  fie ! 
"What  pang  is  this  that  thrills  through  all  my  breast  P 

Hear  thou,  O  mother  Night, 

Hear  thou  my  vehement  wrath  ! 
For  lo !  deceits  that  none  can  wrestle  with 
Have  thrust  me  out  from  honours  old  of  Gods, 

And  made  a  thing  of  nought.  *** 

Athena.  I  will  not  weary,  telling  thee  of  good, 
That  thou  may'st  never  say  that  thou,  being  old, 
"Wert  at  the  hands  of  me,  a  younger  Goddess, 
And  those  of  men  who  in  my  city  dwell, 
Driven  in  dishonour,  exiled  from  this  plain. 
But  if  the  might  of  Suasion  thou  count  holy, 
And  my  tongue's  blandishments  have  power  to  soothe, 
Then  thou  wilt  stay ;  but  if  thou  wilt  not  stay, 
Not  justly  would' st  thou  bring  upon  this  city, 
Or  wrath,  or  grudge,  or  mischief  for  its  host. 
It  rests  with  thee,  as  dweller  in  this  spot,* 
To  meet  with  all  due  honour  evermore. 

(1)  Cock  fighting  took  its  place  among  the  recognised  sporta  of  lha 
Athenians.      Once    a    year  there   was    a    public    perform  uioe    in    the 
theatr*-. 

(2)  The  Temple  of  the  Eumenides  or  Semme  ("  venerable  onea  ")  gtood 
Hear  the  Areopuyos. 


EUMENIDES.  33! 


CJior,  Athena,  Queen,  what  seat  assign'st  thou  me9 
Athena.  One  void  of  touch  of  evil ;  take  thou  it. 
Chor.  Say  I  accept.     What  honour  then  is  mine  P 
Athena.  That   no   one   house   apart  from   thee  shal] 

prosper. 

Chor.  And  wilt  thou  work  that  I  such  might  may  have  ? 
Athena.  His  lot  who  worships  thee  we'll  guide  aright. 
Chor.  And  wilt  thou  give  thy  warrant  for  all  time  ? 
Athena.  What  I  work  not  I  might  rpfrain  from  speaking. 
Chor.  It  seems  thou  sooth'st  me :  I  relax  my  wrath.  86a 
Athena.  In  this  land  dwelling  thou  new  friends  shalt 

gain. 

Chor.  What  hymn  then  for  this  land  dost  bid  me  raise  ? 
Athena.  Such  as  is  meet  for  no  ill-victory.1 

And  pray  that  blessings  upon  men  be  sent. 
And  that,  too,  both  from  earth,  and  ocean's  spray, 
And  out  of  heaven  ;  and  that  the  breezy  winds, 
In  sunshine  blowing,  sweep  upon  the  land, 
And  that  o'erflowing  fruit  of  field  and  flock 
May  never  fail  my  citizens  to  bless, 
Xor  safe  deliverance  for  the  seed  of  men. 
But  for  the  godless,  rather  root  them  out: 
For  I,  like  gardener  shepherding  his  plants, 
This  race  of  just  men  freed  from  sorrow  love. 
So  much  for  thee :  and  I  will  never  fail 
To  give  this  city  honour  among  men, 
Victorious  in  the  noble  games  of  war. 

STBOPH.  L 
Chor.  I  will  accept  this  offered  home  with  Pallas, 

Nor  will  the  city  scorn. 

Which  e'en  All-ruling  Zeus 
And  Ares  give  as  fortress  of  the  Gods. 
The  altar-guarding  pride  of  Gods  of  Hellas ;  •* 

And  I  upon  her  call, 

With  kindly  auguries, 

(I)  Borne  two  or  three  lines  have  probably  been  lost  here. 


EUMENIDES. 


That  so  the  glorious  splendour  of  the  sun 
May  cause  life's  fairest  portion  in  thick  growth 

*To  burgeon  from  the  earth. 
Athena.  Tea,  I  work  with  kindliest  feeling 

For  these  iny  townsmen,  having  settled 

Powers  great,  and  hard  to  soothe  among  them : 

Unto  them  the  lot  is  given, 

All  things  human  still  to  order ; 

He  who  hath  not  felt  their  pressure 

Knows  not  whence  life's  scourges  smite  him: 

For  the  sin  of  generations 

Past  and  gone ; — a  dumb  destroyer, — 

Leads  him.  on  into  their  presence, 

And  with  mood  of  foe  low  brinireth 

Him  whose  lips  are  speaking  proudly. 

AJTTISTBOPH.  I. 

CJior.  Let  no  tree-blighting  cauker  breathe  on  them, 

(I  tell  of  boon  I  give,) 

Nor  blaze  of  scorching  heat, 
That  mars  the  budding  eyes  of  nursling  plants, 
And  checks  their  spreading  o'er  their  narrow  bounds ; 

And  may  no  dark,  drear  plague 

Smite  it  with  barrenness. 
But  may  Earth  feed  fair  flock  in  season  due, 
Blest  with  twin  births,  and  earth's  rich  produce  pay 

To  the  high  heavenly  Powers, 

Its  gift  for  treasure  found.1 
Athena.  Hear  ye  then,  ye  city's  guardians, 

What  she  offers  ?    Dread  and  mighty 

With  the  Undying  is  Erinnys ; 

And  with  Those  beneath  the  earth  too, 

And  full  clearly  and  completely 

Work  they  all  things  out  for  mortals, 

Giving  these  the  songs  of  gladness, 

Those  a  life  bedimmed  with  weeping. 

(1)  Probably  an  allusion  to  the  silver-mine  at  Laureion,  which  about 
the  time  formed  a  large  element  of  the  revenues  of  Athens,  and  of  wluuh 
a  tithe  was  consecrated  to  Athena. 


KUMENIDES.  333 


STBOPH.  IL 

Chor.  Avaunt,  all  evil  chance 

That  brings  men  low  in  death  before  their  time  I 

And  for  the  maidens  lovely  and  beloved, 
Give,  ye  whose  work  it  is, 
Life  with  a  husband  true, 

Amd  ye,  0  Powers  of  self-same  mother  born, 
Ye  Fates  who  rule  aright, 
Partners  in  every  house, 
Awe-striking  through  all  fame, 

With  presence  full  of  righteousness  and  truth, 
Through  all  the  universe 
Most  honoured  of  the  Gods  1 
Athena.  Much  I  joy  that  thus  ye  promise 

These  boons  to  my  land  in  kindnesi  ; 
And  I  love  the  glance  of  Suasion, 
That  she  guides  my  speech  and  accent 
Unto  these  who  gainsaid  stoutly. 
But  the  victory  is  won  by 
Zeus,  the  agora's  protector; 
And  our  rivalry  in  blessings 
Is  the  conqueror  evermore. 


Chor.  For  this  too  I  will  pray, 
That  Discord,  never  satiate  with  ill, 
May  never  ravine  in  this  commonwealth, 

Nor  dust  that  drinks  dark  blood 

From  veins  of  citizens, 
Through  eager  thirst  for  vengeance,  from  the  State 

Snatch  woes  as  penalty 

For  deeds  of  murderous  guilt. 

But  may  they  give  instead 
With  friendly  purpose  acts  of  kind  intent, 

And  if  need  be,  may  hate 

With  minds  of  one  accord  ; 
For  this  is  healing  found  to  mortal  men 

Of  many  a  grievous  woe. 


334  EUMENIDES. 


Athena.  Are  they  not  then  waxing  wiser, 
And  at  last  the  path  discerning 
Of  a  speech  more  good  and  gentle  P 
Now  from  these  strange  forms  and  fearful, 
See  I  to  my  townsmen  coming, 
E'en  to  these,  great  meed  of  profit; 
For  if  ye,  with  kindly  welcome, 
Honour  these  as  kind  protectors, 
Then  shall  ye  be  famed  as  keeping, 
Just  and  upright  in  all  dealings, 
Land  and  city  evermore. 

STBOPH.  III. 

Chor*  Eejoice,  rejoice  ye  in  abounding  wealth, 

Eejoice,  ye  citizens, 

Dwelling  near  Zeus  himself,1 
Loved  of  the  virgin  Goddess  whom  ye  loved, 

In  due  time  wise  of  heart, 
You,  'neath  the  wings  of  Pallas  ever  staying,* 

The  Father  honoureth. 
Athena.  Eejoice  ye  also,  but  before  you 
I  must  march  to  show  your  chambers, 
By  your  escorts'  torches  holy ; 
Go,  and  with  these  dread  oblations 
Passing  to  the  crypt  cavernous, 
Keep  all  harm  from  this  our  country, 
Send  all  gain  upon  our  city, 
Cause  it  o'er  its  foes  to  triumph. 
Lead  ye  on,  ye  sons  of  Cranaos,* 
Lead,  ye  dwellers  in  the  city, 
Those  who  come  to  sojourn  with  you, 
And  may  good  gifts  work  good  purpose 
In  my  townsmen  evermore  I 

(1)  Reference  is  made  to  another  local  sanctuary,  the  temple  on  th« 
ireopagos  dedicated  to  the  Olympian  Zeus. 

(2)  The  figure  of  Athena,  as  identical  with  Victory,  and  so  the  tutelary 
Goddess  of  Athens,  was  sculptured  with  outspread  wings. 

(8)  Cranaos,  the  son  of  Kecrops,  the  mythical  founder  of  Athene. 


KUMENIDES.  335 


AMTISTBOFH.  III. 

Chor.  Rejoice,  rejoice  once  more,  ye  habitants  i          ** 
I  say  it  yet  again, 
Ye  Gods,  and  mortals  too, 
Who  dwell  in  Pallas'  city.    Should  ye  treat 

With  reverence  us  who  dwell 
As  sojourners  among  you,  ye  shall  find 
No  cause  to  blame  your  lot. 
Athena.  I  praise  these  words  of  yours,  the  prayers  J9 

offer, 

And  with  the  light  of  torches  flashing  fire, 
Will  I  escort  you  to  your  dark  abode,1 
Low  down  beneath  the  earth,  with  my  attendants, 
Who  with  due  honour  guard  my  statue  here, 
For  now  shall  issue  forth  the  goodly  eye 
Of  all  the  land  of  Theseus ;  fair-famed  troop  9*° 

Of  girls  and  women,  band  of  matrons  too, 
In  upper  vestments  purple-dyed  arrayed : 
*Now  then  advance  ye ;  and  the  blaze  of  fire, 
Let  it  go  forth,  that  so  this  company 
Stand  forth  propitious,  henceforth  and  for  aye, 
In  rearing  race  of  noblest  citizens, 

Enter  an  array  of  women,  young  and  old,  in  procession^ 
leading  the  Erinnyes — now,  as  propitiated,  the  Eume- 
nides  or  Gentle  Ones — to  their  shrines. 

Chorus  of  Athenian  women. 
STBOPH.  I. 

Go  to  your  home,  ye  great  and  jealous  Ones, 
Children  of  Night,  and  yet  no  children  ye ;  * 
With  escort  of  good-will, 
Shout,  shout,  ye  townsmen,  shout. 

ANTISTBOPH.  L 

There  in  the  dark  and  gloomy  caves  of  earth, 

With  worthy  gifts  and  many  a  sacrifice  •* 

(1)  The  sanctuaries  of  the  Eumenides  were  crypt-like  chapels,  whert 
they  were  worshipped  by  the  light  of  lamps  or  torches. 

(2)  Perhaps,         "  Children  of  Nightv  yourselves  all  childless  left." 


336  EUMENIDES. 


Consumed  in  the  fire — 
Shout,  shout  ye,  cne  and  all. 

STBOPH.  IL 

Come,  come,  with  thought  benign, 

Propitious  to  our  land, 

Ye  dreaded  Ones,  yea,  come, 
"While  on  your  progress  onward  ye  rejoice, 
In  the  bright  light  of  fire-devoured  torch; 

Shout,  shout  ye  to  our  songs. 

ANTISTEOPH.  IL 

Let  the  drink-offerings  come, 
In  order  meet  behind, 
"While  torches  fling  their  light ; 
*Zeus  the  All-seeing  thus  hath  joined  in  league 
*With  Destiny  for  Pallas'  citizens ; 

Shout,  shout  ye  to  our  songs. 

[The  procession  winds  its  way,  ATHEUA  at  its  head,  then 
the  Eumenides,  then  the  women,  round  the  Areopagot 
towards  the  ravine  in  which  the  dread  Goddesses  were  to 
find  their  sanctuary,'] 


FRAGMENTS. 


FRAGMENTS. 


38. 

APHRODITE  loquitur. 

The  pure,  bright  heaven  still  yearns  to  blend  with,  earth, 

And  earth  is  filled  wifh  love  for  marriage-ntes, 

And  from  the  kindly  sky  the  rain-shower  falls 

And  fertilises  earth,  and  earth  for  men 

Yields  grass  for  sheep,  and  corn,  Demeter's  gift; 

And  from  its  wedlock  with  the  South  the  fruit 

Is  ripened  in  its  season  ;  and  of  this, 

All  this,  I  am  the  cause  accessory. 

12*. 

So,  in  the  Libyan  fables,  it  is  told 
That  once  an  eagle,  stricken  with  a  dart, 
Said,  when  he  saw  the  fashion  of  the  shaft, 
"  With  our  own  feathers,  not  by  others'  hand*, 
Are  we  now  smitten." 

147. 

Of  all  the  Gods,  Death  only  craves  not  gifts : 
Nor  sacrifice,  nor  yet  drink-offering  poured 
Avails ;  no  altars  hath  he,  nor  is  soothed 
By  hymns  of  praise.    From  him  alone  of  all 
The  powers  of  Heaven  Persuasion  holds  aloof. 

151. 

When  'tis  God's  will  to  bring  an  utter  dooa 
Upon  a  house,  He  first  in  mortal  men 
Implants  what  works  it  out. 


340  FRAGMENTS. 

162. 
The  words  of  Truth  are  ever  simplest  found. 

163. 
What  good  is  found  in  life  that  still  brings  pain  f 

174. 

To  many  mortals  silence  great  gain  brings. 

229. 

O  Death  the  Healer,  scorn  thou  not,  I  pray, 
To  come  to  me :  of  cureless  ills  thou  art 
The  one  physician.    Pain  lays  not  its  touch 
Upon  a  corpse. 

230. 

When  the  wind 
Nor  suffers  us  to  leave  the  port,  nor  stay. 

243. 

And  if  thou  wish  to  benefit  the  dead, 
'Tis  all  as  one  as  if  thou  injured' st  them, 
And  they  nor  sorrow  nor  delight  can  feel : 
Yet  higher  than  we  are  is  Nemesis, 
And  Justice  taketh  vengeance  for  the  dead. 

266. 
THETIS  on  the  death  ofAchillet. 

Life  free  from  sickness,  and  of  many  years, 
And  in  a  word  a  fortune  like  to  theirs 
Whom  the  Gods  love,  all  this  He  spake  to  ine 
As  ptean-hymn,  and  made  my  heart  full  glad: 
And  I  full  fondly  trusted  Phoabos'  lips 
As  holy  and  from  falsehood  free,  of  art 
Oracular  an  ever-flowing  spring, 
And  He  who  sang  this,  He  who  at  the  feast 
Being  present,  spake  these  things, — yea,  He  it  if 
That  slew  my  son. 


FRAGMENTS.  34! 

267. 
The  man  who  does  ill,  ill  must  suffer  too. 

268. 

Evil  on  mortals  comes  full  swift  of  foot, 

And  guilt  on  him  who  doth  the  right  transgress. 

269. 

Thou  see'st  a  vengeance  voiceless  and  unseen 
For  one  who  sleeps  or  walks  or  sits  at  ease : 
It  takes  its  course  obliquely,  here  to-day, 
And  there  to  morrow.    Nor  does  night  conceal 
Men's  deeds  of  ill,  but  whatsoe'er  thou  dost, 
Think  that  some  God  beholds  it. 

270. 
"  All  have  their  chance :"  good  proverb  for  the  rich. 

271. 

Wise  is  the  man  who  knows  what  profiteth, 
Not  he  who  knoweth  much. 

272. 
Full  grievous  burden  is  a  prosperous  fool. 

272A. 
From  a  just  fraud  God  turneth  not  away. 

273. 

There  is  a  time  when  God  doth  falsehood  prize. 

274. 

The  polished  brass  is  mirror  of  the  form, 
Wine  of  the  souL 

275. 

Words  are  the  parents  of  a  causeless  wrath. 


342  FRAGMENTS. 


276. 
Men  credit  gain  for  oaths,  not  oaths  for  them. 

277. 
God  ever  works  with  those  that  work  with  wiQ. 

278. 
Wisdom  to  learn  is  e'en  for  old  men  good. 

281. 
The  base  who  prosper  are  intolerable. 

282. 

The  seed  of  mortals  broods  o'er  passing  things, 
And  hath  nought  surer  than  the  smoke-cloud's  shadow. 

283. 
Old  age  hath  stronger  sense  of  right  than  youth, 

286. 

Yet  though  a  man  gets  many  wounds  in  breast, 
He  dieth  not,  unless  the  appointed  time, 
The  limit  of  his  life's  span,  coincide ; 
Nor  does  the  man  who  by  the  hearth  at  home 
Sits  still,  escape  the  doom  that  Fate  decrees. 

287. 

How  far  from  just  the  hate  men  bear  to  death, 
Which  comes  as  safeguard  against  many  ills. 

288. 

To  FOBTUNB. 

Thou  did'st  beget  me ;  thoa  too,  as  it  aoem*, 
Wilt  now  destroy  mo. 

289. 
The  fire-moth's  silly  death  is  that  I  fear. 


FRAGMENTS.  343 

290. 

I  by  experience  know  the  race  full  well 

That  dwells  in  JEthiop  land,  where  seven-mouthed  Nile 

Bolls  o'er  the  land  with  winds  that  bring  the  rain, 

What  time  the  fiery  sun  upon  the  earth 

Pours  its  hot  rays,  and  melts  the  snow  till  then 

Hard  as  the  rocks ;  and  all  the  fertile  soil 

Of  Egypt,  filled  with  that  pure-flowing  stream, 

Brings  forth  Demeter's  ears  that  feed  our  life. 

291. 

This  hoopoo,  witness  of  its  own  dire  ills, 

He  hath  in  varied  garb  set  forth,  and  shows 

In  full  array  that  bold  bird  of  the  rocks 

Which,  when  the  spring  first  comes,  unfurls  a  wing 

Like  that  of  white-plumed  kite ;  for  on  one  breast 

It  shows  two  forms,  its  own  and  eke  its  child's, 

And  when  the  corn  grows  gold,  in  autumn's  prim», 

A  dappled  plumage  all  its  form  will  clothe ; 

And  ever  in  its  hate  of  these  't  will  go 

Far  off  to  lonely  thickets  or  bare  rocks. 

292. 

Still  to  the  sufferer  comes,  as  due  from  God, 
A  glory  that  to  suffering  owes  its  birth. 

293. 

The  air  is  Zeus,  Zeus  earth,  and  Zeus  the  heaven, 
Zeus  all  that  is,  and  what  transcends  them  alL 

297. 

Take  courage ;  pain's  extremity  soon  ends. 
298. 

When  Strength  and  Justice  are  true  yoke-fellowi, 
Where  can  be  found  a  mightier  pair  than  they  P 


APPENDIX  OF  KHYMED  CHOEUSES. 


AGAMEMNON. 


VERSES  40—248. 

NUTE  weary  years  are  gone  and  spent 

Since  Menelaos'  armament 

Sped  forth,  on  work  of  vengeance  bent* 

For  Priam's  guilty  land ; 
And  with  him  Agamemnon  there 
Throne,  sceptre,  army  all  did  share ; 
And  so  from  Zeus  the  Atreidse  bear, 

Their  two -fold  high  command* 
They  a  fleet  of  thousand  sail, 
Strong  in  battle  to  prevail, 
Led  from  out  our  Argive  coast, 
Shouting  war-cries  to  the  host ; 
E'en  as  vultures  do  that  utter 
Shrillest  screams  as  round  they  flutter, 
Grieving  for  their  nestlings  lost, 
Plying  still  their  oary  wings 
In  many  lonely  wanderings, 
Bobbed  of  all  the  sweet  unrest 
That  bound  them  to  their  young  ones'  nest 
And  One  on  high  of  solemn  state, 
Apollo,  Pan,  or  Zeus  the  great, 
When  he  hears  that  shrill  wild  cry 
Of  his  clients  in  the  sky, 
On  them,  the  godless  who  offend, 
Ennnys  slow  and  sure  doth  send. 
So  'gainst  Alexandros  then 
The  sons  of  Atreus,  chiefs  of  men, 
Zeus  sent  to  work  his  high  behest, 
True  guardian  of  the  host  and  guest. 


34'  APPENDIX. 

He,  for  bride  of  many  a  groom, 
On  Danai,  Troi'ans  eendeth  doom, 
Many  wrestlings,  sinew-trying 
Of  the  knee  in  dust  down-lying, 
Many  a  spear-shaft  snapt  asunder 
In  the  prelude  of  war's  thunder. 
What  shall  be,  shall,  and  still  we  see 
Fulfilled  is  destiny's  decree. 
Nor  by  tears  in  secret  shed, 
Nor  by  offerings  o'er  the  dead, 
Will  he  soothe  God's  vengeful  ire 
For  altar  hearths  despoiled  of  fire. 

And  we  with  age  outworn  and  spent 
Are  left  behind  that  armament, 
With  head  upon  our  staff  low  bent. 
Weak  our  strength  like  that  of  boy; 
Youth's  life-blood,  in  its  bounding  joy, 
For  deeds  of  might  is  like  to  age, 
And  knows  not  yet  war's  heritage : 
And  the  man  whom  many  a  year 
Hath  bowed  in  withered  age  and  sere, 
As  with  three  feet  creepeth  on, 
Like  phantom  form  of  day-dream  gone, 
Not  stronger  than  his  infant  son. 

And  now,  O  Queen,  who  tak'st  thy  nan* 
From  Tyndareus  of  ancient  fame, 
Our  Clytsemnestra  whom  we  own 
As  rightly  sharing  Argos'  throne  I 
What  tidings  joyous  hast  thou  heard, 
Token  true  or  flattering  word, 
That  thou  send'st  to  every  shrine 
Solemn  pomp  in  stately  line, — 
Shrines  of  Gods  who  reign  in  light, 
Or  those  who  dwell  in  central  night, 
Who  in  Heaven  for  aye  abide, 
Or  o'er  tie  Agora  cresidf-. 


AGAMEMNON.  349 


Lo,  tliy  gifts  on  altars  blaze, 

And  here  and  there  through  heaven's  wide  ways 

The  torches  fling  their  fiery  rays, 

Fed  by  soft  and  suasive  spell 

Of  the  clear  oil,  flowing  well 

From  the  royal  treasure-cell* 

Telling  what  of  this  thou  may, 

All  that's  meet  to  us  to  say, 

Do  thou  our  haunting  cares  allay, 

Cares  which  now  bring  sore  distress, 

While  now  bright  hope,  with  power  to  blea^ 

From  out  the  sacrifice  appears, 

And  wardeth  off  our  restless  fears, 

The  boding  sense  of  coming  fate, 

jThat  makes  the  spirit  desolate. 

BTEOPH.  L 

Yes,  it  is  mine  to  tell 
What  omens  to  our  leaders  then  befell, 

Giving  new  strength  for  war, 

(For  still  though  travelled  far 
In  life,  by  God's  great  gift  to  us  belong 

The  suasive  powers  of  song,) 

To  tell  how  those  who  bear 
O'er  all  Achseans  sway  in  equal  share, 

Ruling  in  one  accord 
The  youth  of  Hellas  that  own  each  as  lord, 

Were  sent  with  mighty  host 
By  mighty  birds  against  the  Tro'ian  coast, 
Kings  of  tb<3  air  to  kings  of  men  appearing 
Near  to  the  palace,  on  the  right  hand  veering; 

On  spot  seen  far  and  near, 

They  with  their  talons  tear 
A  pregnant  hare  with  all  her  unborn  young, 
All  her  life's  course  in  death's  deep  darkness  flung. 
Oh  raise  the  bitter  cry,  the  bitter  wail ; 

Yet  pray  that  good  prevail  1 


35O  APPENDIX. 

AimsTROPH.  L 

And  then  the  host's  wise  seer 
Stood  gazing  on  the  Atreidoe  standing  near, 

Of  diverse  mood,  and  knew 

Those  who  the  poor  hare  slew, 
And  those  who  led  the  host  with  shield  and  spear, 

And  spake  his  omens  clear : 

"  One  day  this  host  shall  go, 
And  Priam's  city  in  the  dust  lay  low, 

And  all  the  kine  and  sheep 
Countless,  which  they  before  their  high  towers  keep, 

Pate  shall  with  might  destroy : 
Only  take  heed  that  no  curse  mar  your  joy, 
Nor  blunt  the  edge  of  curb  that  Troia  waiteth, 
Smitten  too  soon,  for  Artemis  still  hateth 

The  winged  hounds  that  own 

Her  father  on  his  throne, 
Who  slay  the  mother  with  the  young  unborn, 
And  looks  upon  the  eagle's  feast  with  scorn, 
Ah !  raise  the  bitter  cry,  the  bitter  wail ; 

Yet  pray  that  good  prevail. 

EPODB. 

For  she,  the  Fair  One,  though  her  mercy  shield* 
The  lion's  whelps,  like  dew-drops  newly  shed, 
And  yeanling  young  of  beasts  that  Eoam  the  field*, 
Yet  prays  her  sire  fulfil  these  omens  dread, 

The  good,  the  evil  too. 
And  now  I  call  on  him,  our  Healer  true, 
Lest  she  upon  the  Danai  send  delays 
That  keep  our  ships  through  many  weary  days, 

Urging  a  new  strange  rite, 
Unblest  alike  by  man  and  God's  high  law, 
Evil  close  clinging,  working  sore  despite, 

Marring  a  wife's  true  awe. 

For  still  there  lies  in  wait, 

Fearful  and  ever  new, 
Watching  the  hour  its  eager  thirst  to 


AGAMEMNON.  35! 


Vengeance  on  those  who  helpless  infants  slew." 
Such  things,  ill  mixed  with  good,  great  Calchas  spak*, 
As  destined  by  the  birds'  strange  auguries ; 
And  we  too  now  our  echoing  answer  make 

In  loud  and  woeful  cries : 
Oh  raise  the  bitter  cry,  the  bitter  wail; 

Yet  pray  that  good  prevail. 
STBOPH.  n. 

O  Zeus,  whoe'er  Thou  be, 

If  that  name  please  Thee  well, 

By  that  I  call  on  Thee ; 
For  weighing  all  things  else  I  fail  to  tell 

Of  any  name  but  Zeus ; 

If  once  for  all  I  seek 
Of  all  my  haunting,  troubled  thoughts  a  truc^ 

That  name  I  still  must  speak. 
AJTTXSTBOPH.  IL 

For  He  who  once  was  great, 

Full  of  the  might  to  war, 

Hath  lost  his  high  estate ; 
And  He  who  followed  now  is  driven  afar, 

Meeting  his  Master  too : 

But  if  one  humbly  pay 
"With  'bated  breath  to  Zeus  his  honour  due, 

He  walks  in  wisdom's  way, — 

STBOTH.  m. 
To  Zeus,  who  men  in  wisdom's  path  doth  train, 

Who  to  our  mortal  race 
Hath  given  the  fixed  law  that  pain  is  gain ; 

For  still  through  his  high  grace 
True  counsel  falleth  on  the  heart  like  dew, 

In  deep  sleep  of  the  night, 
The  boding  thoughts  that  out  of  ill  deeds  grew ; 
This  too  They  work  who  sit  enthroned  in  their  might, 

ASTISTKOPII.  TTT.  • 

And  then  the  elder  leader  of  great  fame 
Who  ruled  the  Achseans'  ships, 


352  APPENDIX. 


Not  bold  enough  a  holy  seer  to  blame 

With  words  from  reckless  lips, 
But  tempered  to  the  fate  that  on  him  fell  ;— 

And  when  the  host  was  vexed 

With  tarryings  long,  scant  stores,  and  surging  swell, 
Chalkis  still  far  off  seen,  and  baffled  hopes  perplexed ; 

BTBOPH.  IV. 

And  stormy  blasts  that  down  from  Strymon  sweep, 
And  breed  sore  famine  with  the  long  delay, 
Hurl  forth  our  men  upon  the  homeless  deep 

On  many  a  wandering  way, 
Sparing  nor  ships,  nor  ropes,  nor  sailing  gear, 
Doubling  the  weary  months,  and  vexing  still 

The  Argive  host  with  fear. 
Then  when  as  mightier  charm  for  that  dread  ill, 

Hard  for  our  ships  to  bear, 
From  the  seer's  lips  did  "Artemis"  resound, 
The  Atreidse  smote  their  staves  upon  the  ground, 
And  with  no  power  to  check,  shed  many  a  bitter  tear* 

AvnsTROPH.  IV. 

And  then  the  elder  of  the  chiefs  thus  cried  : 

"  Great  woe  it  is  the  Gods  to  disobey ; 

Great  woe  if  I  my  child,  my  home's  fond  pride, 

With  my  own  hands  must  slay, 
Polluting  with  the  streams  of  maiden's  blood 
A  father's  hands,  the  holy  altar  near. 

Which  course  hath  least  of  good  ? 
How  can  I  loss  of  ships  and  comrades  bear  P 

Eight  well  may  men  desire, 
With  craving  strong,  the  blood  of  maiden  pure 
As  charm  to  lull  the  winds  and  calm  ensure ; 
Ah,  may  there  come  the  good  to  which  our  hopes  aspire  t ' 

STBOPH.  V. 

Then,  when  he  his  spirit  proud 
To  the  yoke  of  doom  had  bowed, 
While  the  blasts  of  altered  mood 
O'er  bis  soul  swept  like  a  flood, 


AGAMEMNON.  J5J 

Reckless,  godless  and  unblest ; 

Thence  new  thoughts  upon  him  pressed, 

Thoughts  of  evil,  frenzied  daring, 

(Still  doth  passion,  base  guile  sharing, 

Mother  of  all  evil,  hold 

The  power  to  make  men  bad  and  bold,) 

And  he  brought  himself  to  slay 

His  daughter,  as  on  solemn  day, 

Victim  slain  the  ships  to  save, 

When  for  false  wile  fought  the  brayt, 

AXTISTBOPH.  V. 

All  her  cries  and  loud  acclaim, 

Calling  on  her  father's  name,— 

All  her  beauty  fresh  and  fair, 

They  heeded  not  in  their  despair, 

Their  eager  lust  for  conflict  there. 

And  her  sire  the  attendants  bade 

To  lift  her,  when  the  prayer  was  said, 

Above  the  altar  like  a  kid, 

Her  face  and  form  in  thick  veil  hid ; 

Tea,  with  ruthless  heart  and  bold, 

O'er  her  gracious  lips  to  hold 

Their  watch,  and  with  the  gag's  dumb  pain 

From  evil-boding  words  restrain. 

STBOPH.  VL 

And  then  upon  the  ground 
Pouring  the  golden  streams  of  saffron  yefl, 
She  cast  a  glance  around 
That  told  its  piteous  tale, 
At  each  of  those  who  stood  prepared  to  slay, 

Fair  as  the  form  by  skilful  artist  drawn, 
And  wishing,  all  in  vain,  her  thoughts  to  say; 
For  oft  of  old  in  maiden  youth's  first  dawn, 
Within  her  father's  hall, 
Her  voice  to  song  did  call, 
To  chant  the  praises  of  her  sire's  high  state, 
Hia  fame,  thrice  blest  of  Heaven,  to  celebrate 
A  A 


354  APPENDIX. 

What  then  ensued  mine  eyes 
Saw  not,  nor  may  I  tell,  but  not  in  vain 

The  arts  of  Calchas  -wise ; 

For  justice  sends  again, 
The  lesson  "  pain  is  gain"  for  them  to  learnt 
But  for  our  piteous  fate  since  help  is  none, 
With  voice  that  bids  "  Good-bye,"  we  from  it  ton 
Ere  yet  it  come,  and.  this  is  all  as  one 

With  weeping  ere  the  hour, 

For  soon  will  come  in  power 
To-morrow's  dawn,  and  good  luck  with  it  come  I 
So  speaks  the  guardian  of  this  Apian  home. 

VERSES  346 — 471. 

0  great  and  sovran  Zeus,  0  Night, 

Great  in  glory,  great  in  might, 

Who  round  Troia's  towers  hast  set, 

Enclosing  all,  thy  close-meshed  net, 

So  that  neither  small  nor  great 

Can  o'erleap  the  bond-slave's  fate, 

Or  woe  that  maketh  desolate ; 

Zeus,  the  God  of  host  and  guest, 

Worker  of  all  this  confessed, 

He  by  me  shall  still  be  blest. 

Long  since,  'gainst  Alexandros  He 

Took  aim  with  bow  that  none  may  flee, 

That  so  his  arrows  onward  driven, 

Nor  miss  their  mark,  nor  pierce  the  heaven. 

STBOPH.  I. 

Yes,  they  lie  smitten  low, 
If  so  one  dare  to  speak,  by  stroke  of  Zeua ; 

Well  one  may  trace  the  blow ; 
The  doom  that  He  decreed  their  soul  subduei. 

And  though  there  be  that  say 
The  Gods  for  mortal  men  care  not  at  all, 
Though  they  with  reckless  feet  tread  holiest  way, 

These  none  will  godly  call. 


AGAMEMNON.  $5$ 


Now  is  it  to  the  children's  children  clear 

Of  those  who,  overbold, 

More  than  was  meet,  breathed  Discord's  spirit  drear ; 
While  yet  their  houses  all  rich  store  did  hold 

Beyond  the  perfect  mean. 
Ah  I  may  my  lot  be  free  from  all  that  harms, 

My  soul  may  nothing  wean  •: 
From  calm  contentment  with  her  tranquil  charmt  j 

For  nought  is  there  in  wealth 
That  serves  as  bulwark  'gainst  the  subtle  stealth 

Of  Destiny  and  Doom, 
For  one  who,  in  the  pride  of  wanton  mood, 
Spurns  the  great  altar  of  the  Eight  and  Good, 
ANTISTEOPH.  L 

Yea,  a  strange  impulse  wild 
Urges  him  on,  resistless  in  its  might, 

Ate's  far-scheming  child. 
It  knows  no  healing,  is  not  hid  in  night, 

That  mischief  lurid,  dark ; 

Like  bronze  that  will  not  stand  the  test  of  WMF» 
A  tarnished  blackness  in  its  hue  we  mark ; 
And  like  a  boy  who  doth  a  bird  pursue 

Swift-floating  on  the  wing, 
He  to  his  country  hopeless  woe  doth  bring ; 

And  no  God  hears  their  prayer, 
But  sendeth  down  the  unrighteous  to  despair, 

Whose  hands  are  stained  with  sin. 
So  was  it  Paris  came 
His  entrance  to  the  Atreidse's  home  to  win, 

And  brought  its  queen  to  shame, 
To  shame  that  brand  indelible  hath  set 
Upon  the  board  where  host  and  guest  were  mat. 

STBOFH.  33. 

And  leaving  to  her  countrymen  to  bear 
Wild  whirl  of  ships  of  war  and  shield  and  spear. 

And  bringing  as  her  dower, 

Death's  doom  to  Dion's  tower, 


356  APPENDIX. 

Sbe  hath  passed  quickly  through  the  palace  gate, 

Daring  what  none  should  dare  ; 
And  lo  !  the  minstrel  seers  bewail  the  fate 

That  home  must  henceforth  share  ; 
"  "Woe  for  the  kingly  house  and  for  its  lord; 
Woe  for  the  marriage-bed  and  paths  which  still 

A  vanished  love  doth  fill  ! 
There  stands  he,  wronged,  yet  speaking  not  a  word 

Of  scorn  from  wrathful  will, 
Seeing  with  utter  woe  that  he  is  left, 

Of  her  fair  form  bereft; 

And  in  his  yearning  love 
For  her  who  now  is  far  beyond  the  sea, 
A  phantom  queen  through  all  the  house  shall  roye  5 

And  all  the  joy  doth  flee 
The  sculptured  forms  of  beauty  once  did  give; 
And  in  the  penury  of  eyes  that  live, 

All  Aphrodite's  grace 

Is  lost  in  empty  space. 


And  spectral  forms  in  visions  of  the  night 
Gome,  bringing  sorrow  with  their  vain  delight  : 

For  vain  it  is  when  one 

Thinks  that  great  joy  is  near, 
And,  passing  through  his  hands,  the  dream  is  gone 

On  gliding  wings,  that  bear 
The  vision  far  away  on  paths  of  sleep." 

Such  woes  were  felt  at  home 
Upon  the  eacred  altar  of  the  hearth, 
And  worse  than  these  remain  for  those  who  roam 

From  Hellas'  parent  earth  : 
In  every  house,  in  number  measureless, 

Is  seen  a  sore  distress  : 

Yea,  sorrows  pierce  the  heart  : 
For  those  who  from  his  home  he  saw  depart 

Each  knoweth  all  too  well  ; 
And  now,  instead  of  warrior's  living  frame, 


AGAMEMNON.  357 


There  cometh  to  the  home  where  each  did  dwell 
The  scanty  ashes,  relics  of  the  flame, 

The  urns  of  bronze  that  keep 

The  dust  of  those  that  sleep. 
STBOPH.  HL 

For  Ares,  who  from  bodies  of  the  slain 

Keapeth  a  golden  gain, 
And  holdeth,  like  a  trafficker,  his  scales, 
E'en  where  the  torrent  rush  of  war  prevail*, 

From  Ilion  homeward  sends 
But  little  dust,  yet  burden  sore  for  friends, 
O'er  which,  smooth-lying  in  the  brazen  urn, 

They  sadly  weep  and  mourn, 
Now  for  this  man  as  foremost  in  the  strife, 
And  now  for  that  who  in  the  battle  fell, 

Slain  for  another's  wife. 
And  muttered  curses  some  in  secret  tell, 

And  jealous  discontent 
Against  the  Atreidae  who  as  champions  led 

The  mighty  armament ; 
And  some  around  the  wall,  the  goodly  dead., 
Have  there  in  alien  land  their  monument, 

And  in  the  soil  of  foes 
Take  in  the  sleep  of  death  their  last  repose, 

AXTISTUOPH.  HI. 

And  lo !  the  murmurs  which  our  country  fill 

Are  as  a  solemn  curse, 
And  boding  anxious  fear  expecteth  still 

To  hear  of  evil  worse. 

Not  blind  the  Gods,  but  giving  fullest  heed 
To  those  who  cause  a  nation's  wounds  to  bleed ; 
And  the  dark-robed  Erinnyes  in  due  ti«ie 

By  adverse  chance  and  change 
Plunge  him  who  prospers  though  denied  by  crime 
In  deepest  gloom,  and  through  its  formless  range 

No  gleams  of  help  appear. 
O'er- vaunted  glory  is  a  perilous  thing ; 


358  APPENDIX. 

Fol  Dn  it  Zeus,  whose  glance  fills  all  with  fear. 

His  thunderbolts  doth  fling. 

That  fortune  fair  I  praise 
That  rouseth  not  the  Gods  to  jealousy. 
May  I  ne'er  tread  the  devastator's  ways, 

Nor  as  a  prisoner  see 
My  life  wear  out  in  drear  captivity  I 

EPODB. 
And  now  at  bidding  of  the  courier-flamo, 

Herald  of  great  good  news, 
A  murmur  swift  through  all  tho  city  came ; 
But  whether  it  with  truth  its  course  pursues, 
Who  knows  ?  or  whether  God  who  dwells  on  high. 

With  it  hath  sent  a  lie  ? 
Who  is  so  childish,  or  of  sense  bereft, 

As  first  to  feel  the  glow 
That  message  of  the  herald  fire  has  left, 

And  then  to  sink  down  low, 
Because  the  rumour  changes  in  its  sound  F 

It  is  a  woman's  mood 

To  accept  a  boon  before  the  truth  is  found: 
Too  quickly  she  believes  in  tidings  good, 

And  so  the  line  exact 

That  marks  the  truth  of  fact 
Is  over-passed,  and  with  quick  doom  of  death 
A  rumour  spread  by  woman  perisheth. 

VERSES  665 — 782. 

STBOPH.  I. 

"Who  was  it  named  her  with  such  foresight  clear? 

Could  it  be  One  of  might, 
In  strange  prevision  of  her  work  of  fear, 

Guiding  the  tongue  aright  ? 
Who  gave  that  war-wed,  strife-upstirring  one 

The  name  of  Helen,  ominous  of  ill  P 
For  'twas  through  her  that  Hellas  was  undone, 

That  woes  from  Hell  men,  ships,  and  citioe  SSL 
Out  from  the  curtains,  gorgeous  in  their  fold, 


AGAMEMNON.  359 


Wafted  by  breeze  of  Zephyr,  earth's  strong  child. 

She  her  swift  way  doth  hold ; 
And  hosts  of  mighty  mien,  as  hunters  bold 

That  bear  the  spear  and  shield, 
Wait  on  the  track  of  those  who  steered  their  way 
Unseen  where  Simois  flows  by  leafy  field, 
Urged  by  a  strife  that  came  with  power  to  slay. 

AKTISTBOPH.  L 
And  so  the  wrath  which  doth  its  work  fulfil 

To  Ilion  brought,  well-named, 
A  marriage  marring  all,  avenging  still 

For  friendship  wronged  and  shamed, 
And  outrage  foul  on  Zeus,  of  host  and  guest 

The  guardian  God,  from  those  who  then  did  raise 
The  bridal  hymn  of  marriage-feast  unblest 

Which  called  the  bridegroom's  kin  to  shouts  of  praise, 

But  now  by  woe  oppressed 
Priam's  ancient  city  waileth  very  sore, 
And  calls  on  Paris  unto  dark  doom  wed, 

Suffering  yet  more  and  more 
For  all  the  blood  of  heroes  vainly  shed, 
And  bearing  through  the  long  protracted  yean 
A  life  of  wailing  grief  and  bitter  tears. 
STBOPH.  EL 

One  was  there  who  did  rear 
A  lion's  whelp  within  his  home  to  dwell, 

A  monster  waking  fear, 
Weaned  from  the  mother's  milk  it  loved  so  well: 

Then  in  life's  dawning  light, 
Loved  by  the  children,  petted  by  the  old, 

Oft  in  his  arms  clasped  tight, 
As  one  an  infant  newly-born  would  hold, 
With  eye  that  gleamed  beneath?  the  fondling  hand, 
And  fawning  as  at  hunger's  strong  command. 

AyrisTiiorn.  IL 

But  soon  of  age  full  grown, 
It  showed  the  inbred  nature  of  its  sire, 


360  APPENDIX. 

And  wrought  unasked,  alone, 
A  feast  to  be  that  fostering  nurture's  hire ; 

Gorged  full  with  slaughtered  sheep, 
The  house  was  stained  with  blood  as  with  a  euro* 

No  slaves  away  could  keep, 
A  murderous  mischief  waxing  worse  and  worse, 
Sent  as  from  God  a  priest  from  Ate  fell, 
A»d  reared  within  the  man's  own  house  to  dwell. 

STBOPH.  IIL 
So  I  would  say  to  Hion  then  there  came 

Mood  as  of  calm  when  every  wind  is  still, 
The  gentle  pride  and  joy  of  noble  fame, 
The  eye's  soft  glance  that  all  the  soul  doth  thrill  j 

Love's  full-blown  flower  that  brings 

The  thorn  that  wounds  and  stings ; 

And  yet  she  turned  aside, 
And  of  the  marriage  feast  wrought  bitter  end, 
Coming  to  dwell  where  Priam's  sons  abide, 

HI  sojourner,  ill  friend, 

Sent  by  great  Zeus  the  God  of  host  and  guest, 
A  true  Erinnys,  by  all  wives  unblest. 

AXTISTBOPH.  in. 
There  lives  a  saying  framed  of  ancient  days, 

And  in  men's  minds  imprinted  firm  and  fast, 
That  great  good  fortune  never  childless  stays, 
But  brings  forth  issue, — that  on  fame  at  last 
There  rushes  on  apace 
Great  woe  for  all  the  race ; 
But  I,  apart,  alone, 
Hold  a  far  other  and  a  worthier  creed: 
The  impious  act  is  by  ill  issue  known, 

Most  like  the  parent  deed ; 
While  still  for  all  who  love  the  Truth  and  Eighty 
Good  fortune  prospers,  fairer  and  more  bright. 

STBOPH.  IV. 

But  wanton  Outrage  done  in  days  of  old 
Another  wanton  Outrage  still  doth  bear. 


AGAMEMNON.  j6l 


And  mocks  at  human  woes  with,  scorn  o'erbold, 
Or  soon  or  late  as  they  their  fortune  share. 

That  other  in  its  turn. 

Begets  Satiety, 
And  lawless  Might  that  doth  all  hindrance  spun. 

And  sacred  right  defy, 
Two  Ates  fell  within  their  dwelling-place, 

Like  to  their  parent  race. 

AKTISTROPH.  IV. 

Tet  Justice  still  shines  bright  in  dwellings  murk 

And  dim  with  smoke,  and  honours  calm  content ; 
But  gold-bespangled  homes,  where  guilt  doth  lurk, 
She  leaves  with  glance  in  horror  backward  bent, 

And  draws  with  reverent  fear 

To  places  holier  far, 
And  little  recks  the  praise  the  prosperous  hear, 

Whose  glories  tarnished  are ; 
But  still  towards  its  destined  goal  she  bring! 

The  whole  wide  course  of  things. 

Say  then,  eon  of  Atreus,  thou 

Who  com'st  as  Tro'ia's  conqueror  now, 

What  form  of  welcome  right  and  meet, 

What  homage  thy  approach  to  greet, 

Shall  I  now  use  in  measure  true, 

Nor  more  nor  less  than  that  is  due  ? 

Many  men  there  are,  I  wis, 

Who  in  seeming  place  their  bliss, 

Caring  less  for  that  which  is. 

If  one  suffers,  then  their  wail 

Loudly  doth  the  ear  assail; 

Yet  have  they  nor  lot  nor  part 

In  the  grief  that  stirs  the  heart ; 

80  too  the  joyous  men  will  greet 

With  smileless  faces  counterfeit : 

But  shepherd  who  his  own  sheep  knows 

Will  scan  the  lips  that  fawn  aud  gluz*. 


362  APPENDIX. 

Eeady  still  to  praise  and  bless 

"With  weak  and  watery  kindliness. 

Thou  when  thou  the  host  did'st  guide 

For  Helen — truth  I  will  not  hide-^ 

In  mine  eyes  had'st  features  grim, 

Such  as  unskilled  art  doth  limn, 

Not  guiding  well  the  helm  of  thought, 

And  giving  souls  with  grief  o'erwrought 

False  courage  from  fresh  victims  brought, 

But  with  nought  of  surface  zeal, 

Now  full  glad  of  heart  I  feel, 

And  hail  thy  acts  as  deeds  well  done : 

Thou  too  in  time  shalt  know  each  one, 

And  learn  who  wrongly,  who  aright 

In  house  or  city  dwells  in  might. 

VERSES  947 — 1001. 

STBOPH.  L 

"Why  thus  continually 
Do  ever-haunting  phantoms  hover  nigh 

My  heart  that  bodeth  ill  ? 
Why  doth  the  prophet's  strain  unbidden  still, 

Unbought,  flow  on  and  on  ? 

Why  on  my  mind's  dear  throne 
Hath  faith  lost  all  her  former  power  to  fling 
That  terror  from  me  as  an  idle  thing  ? 
Tet  since  the  ropes  were  fastened  in  the  Band 

That  moored  the  ships  to  land, 
When  the  great  naval  host  to  Ilion  went, 
Time  hath  passed  on  to  feeble  age  and  spent. 

ANTISTBOPH.  L 

And  now  as  face  to  face, 
Mysell  reporting  to  myself,  I  trace 
Their  safe  return ;  and  yet 
My  mind,  taught  by  itself,  cannot  forget 
Eriiinys'  dolorous  cry, 
That  lyrelods  melody, 


AGAMEMNON. 


And  hath  no  strength  of  wonted  confidence. 
Not  vain  these  pulses  of  the  inward  sense, 
As  my  heart  beateth  in  its  wild  unrest, 

Within  true-boding  breast ; 
And  hoping  against  hope,  I  yet  will  pray 
My  fears  may  all  prove  false  and  pass  away. 

STEOPH.  H. 

Of  hijrh,  o'erflowing  henlth 
There  is  no  limit  found  that  satisfies ; 

For  soon  by  force  or  stealth, 
As  foe  'gainst  whom  but  one  poor  wall  doth  riso, 
Disease  upon  it  presses,  and  the  lot 
Of  fair  good  fortune  onward  moves  until 
It  strikes  on  unseen  reef  where  help  is  not. 
But  should  fear  move  their  will 
For  safety  of  their  freight, 
With  measured  sling  a  part  they  sacrifice, 

And  so  avert  their  fate,  • 
Lest  the  whole  house  should  sink  no  more  to  rise, 

O'erwhelmed  with  misery; 
Nor  does  the  good  ship  perish  utterly : 

So  too  abundant  gift, 

From  Zeus  in  double  plenty,  from  the  earth, 
Doth  the  worn  soul  from  anxious  care  uplift, 
And  turns  the  famished  wail  to  bounding  joy  and  mirth, 

AXTIRTBOPH.  IL 

But  blood  that  once  is  shed 
In  purple  stream  of  death  upon  the  ground, 

Who  then,  when  life  is  fled, 
A  charm  to  call  it  back  again  hath  found  ? 

Else  against  him  who  raised  the  dead  to  life 
Zeus  had  not  sternly  warred,  as  warning  given 
To  all  men ;  but  if  Fate  were  not  at  strife 
With  fate  that  brings  from  Heaven 
Heir  from  the  Gods,  my  heart, 


}&4  APPENDIX. 

Out-stripping  speech,  had  given  thought  free  vent. 

But  now  in  gloom  apart 
It  sits  and  moans  in  sullen  discontent, 

And  hath  no  hope  that  e'er 
It  shall  an  issue  seasonably  fair 

From  out  the  tangled  skein 

Of  life's  strange  course  unravel  straight  and  dear, 
While  in.  the  fever  of  continuing  pain 
My  soul  doth,  burden  sore  of  troublous  anguish  bear. 


THE  LTBATION-POUBEBa 
VEKSES  20  —  76. 

STBOPH.  L 

Lo,  from  the  palace  door 
We  wend  our  way  to  poor 

Gifts  on  the  dead; 
And  in  our  bitter  woe, 
Oar  hands  with  many  a  blow 

Smite  breast  and  head. 
On  each  fair  cheek  the  nail 
Has  ploughed  full  many  a  trail, 
And  all  to  tatters  torn 
The  garments  we  have  wont; 
The  foldings  of  the  vest 
O'er  maiden's  swelling  breast 

Are  roughly  rent  ; 
For  now  on  us  the  chance 
That  shuts  out  joy  and  danoe 

Our  fate  hath  sent. 


A  spectral  vision  clear 
Thrills  every  hair  with  fear, 
In  haunted  sleep, 
Breathing  of  dire  distress, 
From  innermost  recess 
Its  watch  doth  keep, 
Breaking  with  cry  of  fright 
The  still  deep  hush  of  night; 
All  through  the  queenly  bower 
Sharp  cry  was  heard  that  hour, 
And  they  to  whom  t'was  given 
To  read  decrees  of  Heaven, 


366  APPENDIX. 

In  dream  o'ertrue, 
By  solemn  pledges  bound, 
Declared  that  underground 
The  dead  were  wrathful  found 

'Gainst  those  that  slew. 

BTBOPH.  IL 

And  so  the  godless  queen 
In  eager  haste  is  seen, — 
Sends  me  with  gifts  like  this, 
Full  graceless  grace,  I  wis, 
As  if,  (O  mother  Earth, 
To  whom  we  owe  our  birth  I) 

To  banish  dread. 
And  I  would  fain  delay 
This  prayer  of  mine  to  pray : 
What  ransom  can  men  pay 

For  blood  once  shed  P 
Oh,  hearth  and  home  of  woe  I 
Oh,  utter  overthrow  I 
Foul  mists  brood  o'er  our  hallf* 
No  ray  of  sunlight  falls ; 
Thick  darkness  from  the  tomb 
Of  heroes  makes  the  gloom 

Yet  more  intense. 

AOTIRTBOPH.  IL 

And  awe  that  once  we  knew, 
Strong,  mighty  to  subdue, 
Falling  on  every  ear, 
Thrilling  each  soul  with  fear, 

Is  gone  far  hence. 
There  be  that  well  may  bow 
In  craven  terror  now, 
For  lo  !  Success  enthroned 
As  more  than  God  is  owned. 
But  Vengeance  will  not  fail 
Ere  long  to  turn  the  scale. 


THE    LIBATION-TOURERS.  36) 

On  some  her  strokes  alight, 
While  yet  their  day  is  bright ; 
Some,  as  in  twilight's  gloom, 
O'erflow  with  gathering  doom; 
Some  endless  night  doth  hold 
In  realm  of  darkness  old. 

STBOPH.  HI. 

And  for  the  blood  which  Earth, 
To  whom  it  owed  its  birth, 
Hath  drunk,  there  still  doth  wait 
A  stern  avenging  Fate ; 
The  stain  of  blood  doth  stay, 
And  will  not  pass  away, 
And  nerves  are  thrilled  with  pain 
In  soul  that  sets  in  train 
The  plague  that  works  amain 
Its  evil  great. 

AXTISTBOPR.  TTTT 

All  help  from  him  hath  fled 
"Who  with  adulterous  tread 
Defiles  another's  bed. 
Though  many  streams  should  poor 
Their  waters  o'er  and  o'er, 
Those  waters  evermore 

Are  poured  in  vain ; 
They  cannot  cleanse  the  guilt    - 
Of  blood  that  once  is  spilt, 

Man's  hand  to  stain. 

EPOCH. 

But  since  to  me  by  Heaven 
The  exile's  life  is  given, 
(Tea,  far  from  home  I  know 
The  bond-slave's  cup  of  woe,} 
I  needs  must  yield  assent 
To  good  or  ill  intent, 


368  APPENDIX. 

Accepting  their  commands 
Who  rule  with  sceptred  hand*,— 
Yea,  I  must  hide  my  hate 
In  this  my  evil  fate, 
And  under  strong  control 
Keep  my  rebellious  soul ; 
And  now  beneath  my  veil 
I  weep  my  woes'  full  tale ; 
For  cares  that  vex  arid  fret 
My  cheeks  with  tears  are  wet. 

VERSES  576 — 639. 

.SxaopH.  L 
Many  dread  forms  of  woe  and  fear  the  Earth 

Doth  breed ;  and  Ocean's  deep 
Is  full  of  foes  men  hate,  of  monstrous  birth; 
And  Air's  high  pathways  keep 
Their  flashing  meteors ;  birds  that  wing  their  flight, 

And  things  on  earth  that  creep  ; 
And  one  might  tell  the  wrath  of  whirlwind's  might, 

When  tempests  wildly  sweep. 

A.vrisTBorn.  L 

But  who  can  tell  man's  purpose  overbold  P 

Or  woman's,  prompt  to  dare  ? 
Or  the  strong  loves  that  men  in  bondage  hold. 

And  bring  woe  everywhere  ? 
Or  strange  conjunctions  of  the  hearth  and  home? 

But  still  the  palm  they  bear, 
The  loves  unloved  that  women  overcome, 

And  hold  dominion  there. 
STBOPH.  IL 

And  one  whose  thoughts  are  not  o'erswift  of  wing, 

May  learn  and  ponder  well 
What  purpose  Thestios'  child  to  act  did  bring, 

Purpose  most  dire  and  fell, 
Her  burning  thought  who  did  her  own 

Kindling  the  torch  of  death 


THE    LIBATION-POUKEiS.  36$ 

That  with  her  child's  life  kept  its  equal  way, 
Since  coming  from  his  mother's  womb  he  cried, 
To  that  predestined  day  on  which  at  last  he  died* 

ANTIBTBOPH.  II. 
And  yet  another  must  I  in  my  song 

Devote  to  hate  and  scorn, 
The  murderess  Skylla,  who  to  deeds  of  wrong 

By  Minos'  gifts  was  borne, 
And  for  her  foes'  sake  slew  a  man  she  loved 

For  Cretan  chains  gold- wrought ; 
She  with  dog's  heart  the  deathless  lock  removed 
From  him,  in  deep  sleep  sunk ;  yet  Hermes'  power 
She  too  was  taught  at  last  at  her  appointed  hour. 

STROPH.  ILL 

But  since  I  tell  my  tale  of  loathly  crime, 
And  of  ill-oinened  marriage  out  of  time, 

Wedlock  our  house  abhors, 

The  schemes  and  plots  of  women  steeped  in  guile 
Against  a  warrior  chief,  a  chief  erewhile 

The  dread  of  foes  in  wars, 
The  foremost  place  I  give  to  altar-hearth 
Where  no  wrath  burns  and  woman  knows  the  worth 

Of  mood  from  daring  free. 

ANTISTBOPH.  HL 

Yet  of  all  ills  the  Lemnian  first  may  stand, 
The  cry  of  loathing  rings  through  all  the  land, 

And  still  each  crime  of  dread 
A  man  will  liken  to  the  Lemnian  ill ; 
And  now  by  woe  that  comes  from  God's  stern  will 

The  race  is  gone  and  fled, 

Of  all  men  scorned,  for  no  man  looks  with  love 
On  deeds  that  to  the  high  Gods  hateful  prove; 

Is  not  this  clear  to  see  ? 

STBOPH.  IV. 
And  lo  1  the  sword  sharp -pointed  pierces  deep, 

E'en  to  the  heart,  the  sword  which  Vengeance  wieldi 

BB 


370  APPENDIX. 

The  lawless  deed  will  not  neglected  sleep, 

When  men  tread  down  what  fear  of  high  heaven  shield*  j 

AKTKTBOPH.  IV. 
But  still  the  block  of  Vengeance  firm  doth  stand, 

And  Fate,  as  swordsmith,  hammers  blow  on  blow ; 
And  then  with  thoughts  that  none  can  understand, 
Erinnys  comes  far  known,  though  working  slow, 
And  to  the  old  house  brings  the  youthful  heir, 
That  deeds  of  blood  wrought  out  of  olden  time 
May  the  due  judgment  bear 
For  each  polluting  crime. 

VERSES  769—820. 

STBOPH. L 

Oh,  hear  me,  hear  my  prayer,  thou  mighty  Lord ! 

Sire  of  all  Gods  that  on  Olympos  dwell, 
Hear  Thou,  and  grant,  my  longing  heart's  desire, 
That  those  who  wise  of  heart  would  fain  do  well 
May  see  each  prayer  for  right 
Fulfilled  in  holiest  might ; 
That  prayer,  O  Zeus,  I  pray. 

STBOPH.  IL 
Do  Thou  protect  him,  yea,  0  Zeus,  and  bring 

Before  his  foes  on  yonder  secret  way ; 
Por  if  thou  raise  him  high,  then  Thou,  0  king, 

Shalt  to  thy  heart's  content 
Receive  a  twofold,  threefold  recompence, 
For  that  thine  anger  bent 
Against  each  old  offence. 

AimSTBOPH.  1. 

Look  on  the  son  of  one  whom  Thou  did'st  lore, 
Like  orphan  colt  fast  bound  to  car  of  woes ; 

Set  Thou  a  mark  that  may  as  limit  prove ; 
Ah,  might  one  watch  his  footsteps  as  he  goes, 


THE    LIBATION-POURE1S.  371 

In  measured  course  and  true, 
This  his  own  country  through  I 

STROPH.  III. 

And  ye  who  in  our  home 
Stand  in  the  shrine  with  plenteous  wealth  full  stored* 

Hear,  O  ye  Gods,  and  come, 

Yea,  come  with  one  accord, 

Lead  him  on,  wash  away 
With  vengeance  new  the  blood  of  crime  of  old  ; 

Let  not  the  old  guilt  scay 
To  breed  fresh  offspring  where  our  home  we  hold. 

MESODK. 

But  grant  him  good  success, 
O  Thou  who  dost  within  the  great  cave  dwell  I 
With  upward  glance  of  joy  our  chief's  house  blew, 

And  that  he  too,  full  well, 
Freely  and  brightly  with  the  dear,  loved  eye»» 
May  look  from  out  the  veil  of  cloudy  skies. 

ANTISTBOFH.  IIL 

And  then  may  Maia's  son 
Assist  him,  as  is  meet,  in  this  his  task  ! 

Through  Him  success  is  won, 

The  boon  that  now  we  ask : 
And  many  secret  things  will  He  make  clear, 

If  that  should  be  his  will ; 
But  should  He  choose  the  truth  should  not  appear, 

Before  men's  eyes  He  still 
Brings  darkness  and  the  blackness  of  the  night* 
Nor  is  He  clearer  in  the  day's  full  light. 

STBOPH.  IV. 

And  then  will  we  pour  forth 
All  that  our  house  contains  of  costliest  worth. 

Past  evil  to  redeem, 

And  through  the  city  we  will  raise  the  strain 
Shrill- voiced  of  women's  chant  yet  once  again* 

All  this  as  good  I  deem ; 


372  APPENDIX. 


This,  this  my  gain  increaseth  more  and  more, 
And  far  from  those  I  love  is  sorrow's  bitter  stour. 

AimSTBOPH.  II. 

But  thoii,  take  courage  when  the  time  is  come, 

The  time  to  act  indeed, 

And  when  she  calls  thee  "  child,"  do  thou  strike  home, 
And  let  thy  father's  name  for  vengeance  plead; 
Do  thy  dread  taskwork  to  the  uttermost. 

AsmsTBOPH.  IV. 

Let  Perseus'  heart  within  thy  bosom  dwell, 
For  thou  dost  work  for  each  dear  kindred  ghost, 
And  those  on  high,  a  hittefr  boon  and  fell, 
Completing  there  within 
The  deed  of  blood  and  sin, 
And  utterly  destroying  him  whose  hand 
That  crime  of  murder  planned. 


BTJMENIDE8. 
VERSES  297 — 374. 

OOME  then,  and  let  us  dance  in  solemn  strain; 
It  is  our  will  to  chant  our  harsh  retrain, 

And  tell  how  this  our  band 
Works  among  men  the  tasks  we  take  in  hand. 
In  righteous  vengeance  find  we  full  delight ; 
On  him  who  putteth  forth  clean  hands  and  putt 

No  wrath  from  us  doth  light ; 
Unhurt  shall  he  through  all  his  life  endure ; 
But  whoso,  as  this  man,  hath  evil  wrought, 

And  hides  hands  stained  with  blood, 
On  him  we  come,  with  power  prevailing  fraught, 

True  witnesses  and  good, 
For  those  whom  he  has  slain,  and  bent  to  win 
Full  forfeit-price  for  that  his  deed  of  sin. 

BTBOPH.  X. 

O  Mother,  Mother  Night  I 
Who  did'st  bear  me  a  penalty  and  curse 

To  those  who  see  and  those  who  see  not  light, 
Hear  thou ;  for  Leto's  son,  in  mood  perverse, 

Puts  me  to  foulest  shame, 
In  that  he  robs  me  of  my  trembling  prey, 

The  victim  whom  we  claim, 
That  we  his  mother's  blood  may  wash  away  ; 

And  over  him  as  slain 

Sing  we  this  dolorous,  frenzied,  maddening  strain, 
The  song  that  we,  the  Erinnyes,  love  so  well, 
That  binds  the  soul  as  with  enchanter's  spell, 
Without  one  note  from  out  the  sweet-voiced  lyre, 
Withering  the  strength  of  men  as  with  a  blast  of  fir*. 


374  APPENDIX. 

AN-TISTBOPH.  L 

For  this  our  task  hath  Fate 
Spun  without  fail  to  last  for  ever  sure, 
That  we  on  man  weighed  down  with  deeds  of  hate 
Should  follow  till  the  earth  his  life  immure. 

Nor  when  he  dies  can  he 

Boast  of  being  truly  free ; 

And  over  him  as  slain 

Sing  we  this  dolorous,  frenzied,  maddening  strain, 
The  song  that  we,  the  Erinnyes,  love  so  well, 
That  binds  the  soul  as  with  enchanter's  spell, 
Without  one  note  from  out  the  sweet- voiced  lyre, 
Withering  the  strength  of  men  as  with  a  blast  of  fire, 

BTUOPH.  II. 

Yea,  at  our  birth  this  lot  to  us  was  given, 

And  from  the  immortal  Ones  who  dwell  in  Heaven 

We  still  must  hold  aloof; 
None  sits  with  us  at  banquets  of  delight, 

Or  shares  a  common  roof, 
Nor  part  nor  lot  have  I  in  garments  white ; 
My  choice  was  made  a  race  to  overthrow, 
When  murder,  home-reared,  lays  a  loved  one  low  j 
Strong  though  ho  be,  upon  his  track  we  tread, 
And  drain  his  blood  till  all  his  strength  is  fled, 

ANTISTROPH.  IL 

Yea,  'tis  our  work  to  set  another  free 

From  tasks  like  this,  and  by  my  service  due 

To  give  the  Gods  their  perfect  liberty, 

Eelieved  from  task  of  meting  judgment  true; 

For  this  our  tribe  from  out  his  fellowship 
Zeus  hath  cast  out  as  worthy  of  all  hate, 

And  from  our  limbs  the  purple  blood-drops  drip; 

80  with  a  mighty  leap  and  grievous  weight 
My  foot  I  bring  upon  my  quivering  prey, 
With  power  to  make  the  swift  and  strong  give  wayf 

An  evil  and  intolerable  fate. 


EUMENIDKS.  375 


STBOPE.  HL 

And  all  the  glory  and  the  pride  of  men, 
Though  hip-h  exalted  in  the  light  of  day, 
Wither  and  fade  away, 
Of  little  honour  then, 
When  in  the  darkness  of  the  grave  they  stay, 

By  our  attack  brought  low, 
The  loathed  dance  through  which  in  raiment  black  we  go, 

ASTISTKOPH.  TTT. 

And  through  the  ill  that  leaves  him  dazed  and  blind, 
He  still  is  all  unconscious  that  he  falls, 

So  thick  a  cloud  enthrals 

The  vision  of  his  mind : 
And  Rumour  with  a  voice  of  wailing  calls, 

And  tells  of  gathering  gloom 

That  doth  the  ancient  halls  in  darkness  thick  entomb. 
STBOPH.  IV. 

So  it  abideth  still ; 
Heady  and  prompt  are  we  to  work  our  will, 

The  dreaded  Ones  who  bring 
The  dire  remembrance  of  each  deed  of  ill, 

Whom  mortals  may  not  soothe  with  offering, 
Working  a  task  with  little  honour  fraught, 
Yea,  all  dishonoured,  task  the  Gods  detest, 

In  sunless  midnight  wrought, 

By  which  alike  are  pressed 
Those  who  yet  live,  and  those  who  lie  in  gloom  unbleat. 

AHTISTBOPH.  IV. 

What  mortal  man  then  will  not  crouch  in  fear, 

As  he  my  work  shall  hear, 
The  task  to  me  by  destiny  from  Heaven 

As  from  the  high  Gods  given  ? 
Tea,  a  time-honoured  lot  is  mine  I  trow, 

No  shame  in  it  I  see, 

Though  deep  beneath  the  .earth  my  station  be, 
In  gloom  that  never  feels  the  sunlight's  quickening  glowi 


3?6  APPENDIX. 

VERSES  468 — 

STBOPH.  I.    * 

Now  is  there  utter  fall  and  overthrow, 

Which  new-made  laws  begin ; 
If  he  who  struck  the  matricidal  blow, 

His  right  — not  so,  his  utter  wrong  shall  win, 
This  baseness  will  the  minds  of  all  men  lead 

To  wanton,  reckless  thought, 
And  now  for  parents  waits  there  woe,  and  deed 
Of  parricidal  guilt  by  children  wrought. 

AunsmopH.  L 

For  then  no  more  shall  wrath  from  this  our  band, 
The  Maenad  troop  that  watch  the  deeds  of  men, 
Come  for  these  crimes  ;  but  lo !  on  either  hand 
I  will  let  slip  all  evil  fate,  and  then, 

Telling  his  neighbours'  grief, 
Shall  this  man  seek  from  that,  and  seek  in  vain, 

Keinission  and  relief, 
Nor  is  there  any  certain  cure  for  pain. 
And  lo  I  the  wretched  man  all  fruitlessly 
For  grace  and  help  shall  cry. 

STBOPH.  n. 

Henceforth  let  no  man  in  his  anguish  call, 
When  he  sore-smitten  by  ill-chance  shall  fall. 

Uttering  with  groan  and  moan, 
"  O  mighty  Justice,  0  Erinnyes'  throne! " 
So  may  a  father  or  a  mother  wail, 
Struck  by  new  woe,  and  tell  their  sorrow's  tale; 

For  low  on  earth  doth  lie 
The  home  where  Justice  once  her  dwelling  had  on  higk 

AJ.TISTBOPH.  EC. 
Yea,  there  are  times  when  reverent  Awe  should  stay 

As  guardian  of  the  soul ; 
It  profits  much  to  learn  through  suffering 

The  bliss  of  self-control. 


EUMENIDES.  J77 


Who  that  within  the  heart's  full  daylight  bean 

No  touch  of  holy  awe, 
Be  it  or  man  or  State  that  casts  out  fear, 
Will  still  own  reverence  for  the  might  of  law  P 

STROPH.  IIL 

Nor  life  that  will  no  sovran  rule  obey, 

Nor  one  down-crushed  beneath  a  despot's  sway, 

Shalt  thou  approve ; 

God  still  gives  power  and  strength  for  victory 
To  all  that  in  the  golden  mean  doth  lie. 
All  else,  as  they  in  diverse  order  move, 

He  scans  with  watchful  eye. 
With  this  I  speak  a  word  in  harmony, 

That  of  irreverence  still 

Outrage  is  offspring  ill, 

While  from  the  soul's  true  health 
Comes  the  much-loved,  much-prayed-for  joy  and  wealth. 

AjrnsraopH,  UL 

Yes,  this  I  bid  thee  know ; 
Bow  thou  before  the  altar  of  the  Eight, 

And  let  no  wandering  glance 

That  looks  at  gain  askance 
Lead  thee  with  godless  foot  to  scorn  or  slight. 
Know  well  the  appointed  penalty  shall  come ; 
The  doom  remaineth  sure  and  will  at  last  strike  home. 
Wherefore  let  each  man  pay  the  reverence  due 

To  those  who  call  him  son ; 
By  each  to  thronging  guests  let  honour  true 

In  loyal  faith  be  done. 

STBOPH.  IV. 

But  one  who  with  no  pressure  of  constraint 
Of  his  free  will  draws  back  from  evil  taint, 

He  shall  not  be  unblest, 
Nor  ever  sink  by  utter  woe  oppressed. 

But  this  I  still  aver, 
That  he  whose  daring  leads  him  to  transgrew, 


37*  APPENDIX. 


The  chaos  wild  of  evil  deeds  to  stir, 

In  sharp  and  sore  distress, 

Against  his  will  will  slacken  sail  ere  long, 
When,  as  his  timbers  crash  before  the  blast, 

He  feels  the  tempest  strong. 

ANTISTBOPH  IV. 

Then  in  the  midst  of  peril  he  at  last 
Shall  call  on  those  who  then  will  hear  him  not, 

Yea,  God  still  laughs  to  scorn 
The  man  by  evil  tide  of  passions  borne, 

Swayed  by  thoughts  wild  and  hot, 
When  he  beholdeth  one  whose  boast  was  high 
He  ne'er  should  know  it,  sunk  in  misery, 
And  all  unable  round  the  point  to  steer ; 

And  so  his  former  pride  of  prosperous  days 
He  wrecks  upon  the  reefs  of  Vorgeance  drear, 
And  dies  with  none  to  weep  him  or  to  praise. 


THE  END. 


MSB  LIBREFV 

04141 


A""  ""• 'I'll  Illll  III 
000  483  686 


